The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/157974
tracking the PACK ■PACK PEOPLE Ryan Hill,Track & Field After concluding his illustrious long-distance running career at NC State, the Hickory, N.C., native made a quick jump into international competition. Competing in the Track & Field World Championships in Moscow, Russia, Hill advanced to the finals of the 5,000-meter race after placing fifth in the prelims. Hill came in 10th out of 16 runners in the final Aug. 16, and he was third best among American racers. Hill was a seven-time All-American in track and a three-timer in cross country at NCSU. He holds the ACC record for the mile and the school record in the 1,500-, 3,000- and 5,000-meter races. Nick Horton, Men's Tennis The incoming freshman from Sydney, Australia, showcased some of his potential during the summer. Before enrolling at NC State, Horton competed in the ITA Summer Circuit tournament July 19-23 in Chapel Hill, N.C. Horton took first place at the event, defeating teammate and junior Beck Bond for first place. Horton also teamed up with fellow classmate Ian Dempster to win the doubles at the same tournament. "I feel like my first collegiate tournament went well," Horton said in an understatement. Alex Johnson, Men's Basketball The former NC State basketball player is returning to his native Canada to play professional basketball. Johnson, who grew up in Toronto, was the No. 1 pick in the NBL Canada Draft in August. He was selected by the Ottawa SkyHawks from the nine-team league. Johnson spent the 2011-12 season at NC State after playing three years at Cal State Bakersfield and averaged 4.4 points as a reserve guard for the Pack, playing in all 37 games during NC State's Sweet 16 run. Johnson was the first native Canadian to be drafted first overall in the NBL Canada. Rachel Mumma, Women's Diving The junior from Harrisburg, Pa., made a splash at the AT&T United States National Championship Aug. 15 in Iowa City, Iowa. She advanced to the finals of the one-meter springboard after finishing seventh in the prelims with a total score of 258.30. Mumma then finished seventh in the finals as well, this time scoring 243.55 on her five dives. During last season, Mumma won the NCAA Diving Zone B Qualifying Meet in the one-meter and platform dives and also qualified for the NCAA Championships in the three-meter. Vivian Tsui, Women's Golf Competing in her home country, Tsui finished in a tie for fourth place at the Royale Cup Canadian Women's Amateur Championship July 26 in Beloeil, Quebec. Tsui, a native of Markham, Ontario, shot 5-over par for the four rounds. She led a stellar showing by NCSU golfers at the event. All six Pack athletes made the cut of 75, and four of them were in the top 25. Joining Tsui near the top of the leaderboard were senior Brittany Marchand (11th), junior Lindsay McGetrick (16th) and junior Augusta James (23rd). Ryan Williamson, Baseball Williamson had a stellar senior season for Cranford (N.J.) High. The left-handed pitcher went 10-0 with a 0.56 ERA and clinched a state title by tossing a five-hitter in the NJISIAA Group 3 state championship game. He struck out 88 batters while walking 22 in 75 1/3 innings, and he caught the attention of major league scouts during the process. The Texas Rangers selected Williamson in the 28th round of the MLB Draft in June, but the southpaw decided to fulfill his commitment to NC State instead. Quoting The Pack photo by ken martin "North Carolina wanted me to play quarterback. I didn't want to play quarterback. I wanted to get on the field. I grew up a State fan. Once they made the offer for me to come here, it was a no-brainer." ■ Backup sophomore safety Josh Stanley on walking on at NC State (TheWolfpacker.com) "NC State's schedule is manageable and there are plenty of weapons on offense if [head coach Dave] Doeren can find a quarterback capable of exploiting them. It's a new era at NC State, but a fourth straight bowl game isn't out of the question." — Writer David Hale on this season's expectations (ESPN.com) "Now, I don't know what Dave Doeren's plans are. I do think he'll have enough to work with. It all depends on the quarterback. The offense he ran at Northern Illinois was very quarterback-oriented. It was about running and throwing." — Anonymous ACC football coach (Athlon.com) "I was just so excited for him. Ever since we were little kids, we have always had dreams of making it in a pro league. To be in New York City in front of a bunch of people, it was amazing. I'm proud of my little brother." — NC State junior outside linebacker Rodman Noel on being at the NBA Draft June 27 to support his younger brother Nerlens Noel, who went No. 6 to the Philadelphia 76ers (TheWolfpacker.com) "He doesn't sugarcoat anything, but he is also very confident about his staff's ability to recruit and develop players. I asked him what he thought about his team up front on both sides, and his response was 'average.' He doesn't seem too thrilled with the numbers he inherited on offense, as far as bodies/scholarships go, so there is definitely some rebuilding to be done, and it will take a while to recruit." — ACC blogger Heather Dinich on head coach Dave Doeren (ESPN.com) "It's never ideal to bid farewell to so much in one summer, but the upside is the attitude and effort issues that plagued the Pack so obviously on the defensive end should be gone, too. In its place will be a young group Mark Gottfried can mold around T.J. Warren's underused, hyper-efficient offensive game." — College basketball blogger Eamonn Brennan (ESPN.com) "The fact the head coach [Mark Gottfried] made time personally to come meet with these kids speaks volumes. A lot of times in this business the head coach won't show up. The fact he made time to meet with them told me how much interest he has. He had his entire staff meet the boys, which was great." — Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon School boys' basketball coach Tyrone Nichols on the impression Mark Gottfried made on his players during their unofficial visit Aug. 13 (TheWolfpacker.com) 22 ■ the wolfpacker 16-18,20,22,24.Tracking The Pack.indd 22 8/23/13 3:36 PM