The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/430118
54 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY BRUCE WINKWORTH A ll discussions regarding the 2015 NC State men's track and field team need to begin with the name Jonathan Addison. Talented, ver- satile and a potential conference champion in multiple events, the junior was easily the Wolfpack's top point scorer both indoors and outdoors a year ago, the face of the franchise. And with experience he only figures to get better. Addison is the reigning ACC outdoor champion in the long jump, plus is the Pack's top performer in the 60-meter dash and high jump indoors, and the 100 meters, 200 meters and the high jump outdoors. He had nine first-place finishes a year ago covering three different events — the long jump, 60 meters and high jump. The rest of the team combined had just 21. Addison's a threat every time he steps onto the track, and if Wolfpack head coach Rollie Geiger has his way, Addison will be on the track often. "The first name to mention with our men's team is Jonathan Addison," Geiger said. "He was our high scorer indoors and outdoors last year. Between the long jump, the high jump and the 100 and 200 meters, he's a national-level athlete and an ACC champion. So you look at the men's side, you have to start with Jonathan." Traditionally, the distance events have been the most reliable cornerstone of the NC State program. This was never truer than in recent years when Andrew Colley and Ryan Hill generated headlines with their exploits. Colley was a two-time All- American in the 5,000 meters, while Hill was a seven-time All-American and confer- ence champion in everything from the mile to the 5,000 meters in track. With Hill (a senior two years ago) and Colley gone, points in the distance events will be harder to come by. Graham Craw- ford, a junior and an all-conference per- former in the 3,000 meters indoors and 1,500 meters outdoors, is coming off a strong cross country season and should be ready to take a more prominent role. Red- shirt sophomore Sam Parsons had a major breakthrough in cross country in the fall, running first for the Wolfpack in all five varsity races and earning all-conference and all-region honors with fourth-place finishes in the ACC Championships and NCAA Southeast Regional. "The success that Sam Parsons had in cross country should translate to track and ■ PREVIEW MEN'S TRACK & FIELD Addison, a junior, recorded nine first-place finishes in the long jump, 60 meters and high jump a year ago, and he is the reigning ACC outdoor champion in the long jump. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS WORK IN PROGRESS Wolfpack Looks To Develop Talent To Complement Junior Standout Jonathan Addison