The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1542201
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026 ■ 23 ship in the books, NC State finds itself in rare company. Only three programs have won more. Villanova holds the re- cord with nine NCAA crowns, includ- ing six in a row from 1989-94. BYU has six, the most recent coming last year, while Stanford has five. The Wolfpack's four titles have vaulted them into a tie with Oregon, which won its most recent NCAA championship in 2016. BYU figures to be strong again in 2026, with sophomore-to-be Hedengren lead- ing the way. She set a freshman record in this year's championship race, finishing second overall in 18:38.9. But the Pack should be strong, too. All five of this year's point-scorers have re- maining eligibility, and while it's not cer- tain they will all return, Henes is hopeful. "I really believe you don't get this ex- perience anywhere else," she said. "Our women who are running professionally now, they say there's nothing like NCAA cross country. There's nothing like try- ing to win a title with your teammates. The Diamond League is totally differ- ent. There are all these really cool things [on the professional circuit], but you just can't replicate college cross coun- try. Why not do it as long as you can and enjoy this time with your teammates?" Even if everyone does come back next year, the team will inevitably move on eventually, just as it did when Tuohy, Chmiel and Bush exited after winning the 2023 championship. Henes noted that NC State brought its whole team to Missouri to soak up the NCAA experi- ence even though only seven were go- ing to participate in the race. There was a reason she did that. Henes wanted to ensure that everyone understood they were part of a lineage of great athletes — one that they'll have a hand in extending. "It's such a great example to our younger women," she said. "We did bring 11 people here, and we always say, it's not just the seven people who are lining up that day. The program is a lot bigger than that. It's the people who came before you and the people who will come after you. This group is doing a fantastic job of be- ing the leaders we want, so that we can attract the people we want to be here." ■ Cross Country Teams Among 2026 Hall Of Fame Honorees NC State's 1979 and '80 women's cross country teams are being collectively welcomed into the university's Athletic Hall of Fame, part of the 2026 induction class that was announced on Dec. 15. The cross country teams won back-to-back ACC and AIAW championships in the years leading up to the NCAA's takeover of women's sports. NC State garnered 109 points at the national meet in 1979 and 76 points the following year. Julie Shea was the top performer on those teams, winning the individual title in the conference and national championship races both years. She and Betty Springs were two-time All-Americans, and Mary Shea joined them as an All-American in 1980. Other inductees into the NC State Athletic Hall of Fame are as follows: Willie Burden (football, 1971-73): An All-ACC running back in 1972 and '73, Burden is the first player in school history to surpass 1,000 yards in a season, totaling 1,014 yards and averaging 6.8 per carry on a Wolfpack team that won the conference title in coach Lou Holtz's second season. Kenny Carr (men's basketball, 1974-77): At the conclusion of his career, Carr was the third-lead- ing scorer in NC State history with 1,772 career points and was sixth with 789 rebounds. He was a first-team All-American his last two seasons. Beth Emery (women's swimming, 1980-83): A five-time conference champion and 19-time All- American, Emery was named to the ACC's 50th anniversary women's team honoring the league's top 50 athletes. She died in 2012 at age 50. Nora Lynn Finch (special contributor): Finch was a women's basketball assistant coach under Kay Yow from 1977-84 and later went on to a long career as an ACC administrator. She retired in 2019. Bob Guzzo (special contributor): As coach of the NC State wrestling team for 30 years, Guzzo led the Pack to 13 ACC championships and was a six-time conference coach of the year. He coached four individual national champions and went 356-183-7 in dual-meet competition (117-53 versus ACC opponents). Matt Hill (men's golf, 2008-10): In 2009, Hill won eight tournament titles, including the NCAA individual championship. He was only the second golfer ever to win a conference title along with NCAA Regional and NCAA Championship crowns in the same year. Marc Primanti (football, 1992-96): Owner of the best field goal percentage in school history (.939), Primanti was named the Lou Groza Award winner in 1996. He was perfect on all his kicks that year, going 20-for-20 on field goals and 24-for-24 on extra points. Tyrell Taitt (men's track and field, 1991-94): Taitt won five ACC championships in the triple jump — three indoor (1991, '92 and '93) and two outdoor (1993 and '94). In 1993, he became NC State's first individual NCAA track and field national champion, winning the outdoor triple jump crown. Scott Turner (wrestling, 1984-88): Turner surrendered only 1 point in winning the 150-pound title at the NCAA Tournament in 1988. He was named the tourney's Most Outstanding Wrestler and was also a three-time ACC champion. — Matt Herb Julie Shea won conference and national championships while competing for NC State in 1979 and '80. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS