The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/141892
"His legend continues to grow, much like I watched Philip Rivers' and Russell Wilson's when they were here. I have seen legends grow here and I have watched his grow. Again, he chose to stay close to home, which takes courage. It just shows the confidence and belief he that he has in himself. He has never run from a challenge and remains who he has always been." The numbers from Rodon's two campaigns might not compare on paper — and he'll admit that — but both player and coach agree that the pitcher was better in his sophomore season. "I believe this was the better year because the team made it to the College World Series and that's all that matters — winning is all I care about," Rodon said. "I "I believe this was the better year because the team made it to the College World Series and that's all that matters — winning is all I care about. I don't care about personal statistics, I care about the team more than myself." ■ Rodon don't care about personal statistics, I care about the team more than myself. "You can look at the numbers, but numbers aren't everything. There's a huge difference between 10-3 and 9-0, there's a huge difference between an ERA of almost 3.00 and 1.57, but I felt I had a better year this year." "I think at the end of this year, he was better than at any point last year, even though the overall numbers were better last year," Avent added. "When he was really, really good this year — like he was against William & Mary and a couple of times against North Carolina [in the postseason] — he was better than anytime last year. I think you could ask pro scouts and people that have followed baseball for a long time, and they would all say that he was really good last year and even better now." ■ The Best Of The Rest 1. Ryan Hill,Track and Field — In his final year of eligibility, the ACC Men's Indoor Track Performer of the Year placed second in the mile at the NCAA Indoor Championships, and also earned All-America honors in the indoor 3,000 meters and outdoor 1,500 meters, giving him 10 All-America citations for his career. He also clocked a 3:54.89 in the Wanamaker Mile at the prestigious Millrose Games — the fourth-fastest time ever by a collegian and the second-best by an American collegian. 2. Albin Choi, Golf — The junior became the fourth three-time All-American in school history after he won five events and was named ACC Golfer of the Year. Choi was the only ACC product named among the 10 national semifinalists for the Ben Hogan Award, and he will bypass his final year of eligibility to turn pro. 3.Trea Turner, Baseball — The All-ACC selection was one of three national finalists for the Brooks Wallace Award, annually awarded to the nation's top shortstop. The sophomore received several All-America honors, including a second-team mention from Perfect Game, after he paced the Pack in nine offensive categories. 4. Andrew Colley, Cross Country/Track and Field — The redshirt junior earned ACC Men's Cross Country Performer of the Year honors after a third-place finish at the conference championships, his third straight All-ACC honor, followed with his second straight All-America nod after he crossed the finish line in 16th place at the national meet. He added a second-team All-America honor this spring in the 5,000 meters, his first on the track. 5. Ian Bishop, Swimming and Diving — The junior won the ACC championship and set the school record in the 100 breaststroke, and then claimed first-team All-America laurels in the event. He also set the school record in the 200 breaststroke and helped the 400 medley relay team set a program standard en route to an honorable mention All-America nod. 6. Barrett Miesfeld, Swimming and Diving — Bishop's classmate has a nearly identical résumé, with the exception being that his ACC championship and first-team All-America mention came in the 100 butterfly. He teamed with Bishop, among others, to win an ACC silver medal and honorable mention All-America nod in the 400 medley relay. 7. Earl Wolff, Football — The heart and soul of the Wolfpack defense, as former head coach Tom O'Brien always called him, earned first-team All-ACC honors after he led the team with 145 tackles, the most for a Pack player since 2005. He also hauled in two interceptions, caused a fumble and recovered one loose ball while starting every game. The senior was drafted in the fifth round by the Philadelphia Eagles. 8. Richard Howell, Basketball — The senior finished his career with first-team AllACC honors after he led the league and ranked fifth nationally in rebounding (10.9 per game). He was even better in league play, where he averaged 11.4 boards per game. Howell also posted 12.7 points per game, while he led the ACC and ranked sixth nationally with 18 double-doubles. Howell was one of just four BCS conference players to average a doubledouble in league play. 9. Nathaniel Williams, Track and Field — Williams wrapped up his redshirt junior campaign with second-team outdoor All-America honors in the discus for the second year in a row. He finished fifth in the discus and sixth in the hammer at the ACC Outdoor Championships, while he added a seventh-place finish in the weight throw at the ACC Indoor Championships. 10. Austin Powell, Tennis — The sophomore and his classmate, Robbie Mudge, split Sophomore Austin Powell split time at No. 1 singles and paced the Wolfpack with 21 victories, including seven conference wins, en No. 1 duties and were both named All-ACC, which marked the first time since 2008 that the Pack had multiple honorees on the team. Powell paced the squad with 21 wins, including route to All-ACC accolades. photo by larry blankenship seven ACC victories. 122 ■ the wolfpacker 120-122.Male Athlete of the Year.indd 122 7/2/13 12:17 PM