The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/846301
24 ■ THE WOLFPACKER TRACKING THE PACK "Roseboro figures to benefit even more this season from Kentavius Street, Bradley Chubb, B.J. Hill and others who command attention. Double-digit sack totals are within reach, and it's possible that, given the double teams Chubb will command on one side of the line, Roseboro could end up with numbers good enough to lead the league." ■ ESPN.com blogger David Hale on how NC State junior defensive end Darian Roseboro could be an ACC "breakout star" "This community is a family. I was swimming for something bigger than myself. That flag means so much to so many people. It's such a strong symbol. People are willing to sacrifice their life for it. It's such an important symbol to me and the rest of the country." — NC State junior swimmer Ryan Held on returning to his home state in Edwardsville, Ill., to prepare for the upcoming World Swim Champion- ships, where he can represent the U.S. (The Telegraph in Alton, Ill.) "[NC State quarterback commit Devin] Leary turned heads at the New Jersey stop of the tour, winning MVP honors. Leary was praised for his arm strength and touch, and his showing was praised by other prospects at the event as well." — Rivals.com recruiting analyst Woody Wommack after watching NC State four- star senior quarterback commit Devin Leary at the Rivals 3 Stripe Camp Series presented by adidas "I think from what I've done in my first two years, I've proven to people that I can play. I just want to continue a special career for myself and to bring success to NC State." — UNC Wilmington transfer C.J. Bryce on his hopes for the future at NC State (The Raleigh News & Observer) "I feel like I have a special relationship with [NCSU head] Coach [Kevin] Ke- atts, which is one of the main reasons I decided to return. I'm grateful to all of the NBA teams that brought me in for workouts, helped me through this process and provided valuable feedback. That being said, I'm excited to return to NC State and play, and continue to improve under Coach Keatts and our staff next season." — Center Omer Yurtseven on returning to NC State for his sophomore campaign (GoPack.com) "Really gifted at getting his shot off. Needs to improve his consistency on the jump shot. I want to see how committed he can be at the defensive end. He has all the physical tools to succeed, but can he trust his teammates? He can fall asleep on defense. He's a Derrick Rose-type athlete." — Anonymous NBA scout on former NC State point guard Dennis Smith Jr., who went No. 9 to the Dallas Mavericks, to writer Seth Davis on his new website SethsDrafthouse.com PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN QUOTING THE PACK Nick Gwiazdowski, Wrestling The former NC State heavyweight, who won a pair of NCAA titles and was a four-time All-American, is now beginning to make his mark internationally. He earned a spot on the U.S. National Team for the 2017 World Wrestling Championships Aug. 21-26 in Paris. Gwiazdowski punched his ticket by winning the 2017 U.S. World Team Trials June 10 in Lincoln, Neb. The Delanson, N.Y., native won NCAA national championships in 2014 and 2015, becom - ing the only two-time champ in school history, and was the runner-up in 2016, losing only to 2016 Olympic gold medalist Kyle Snyder. Lukas Kozeniesky, Rifle A year ago, Kozeniesky won the national championship in the air rifle at the USA Shooting Cham- pionships and competed in the Summer Olympics in Rio De Janeiro. He has con- tinued to excel after completing his col- legiate eligibility in the spring. The native of Fairfax Station, Va., won both the men's smallbore and air rifle competition at the USA Shooting Championships June 25- July 2 in Fort Benning, Ga. Kozeniesky was a six-time All- American at NC State and holds every individual rifle record. Natalie Labonge, Swimming The recently graduated Labonge was nominated for the prestigious 2017 NCAA Woman of the Year award, given an- nually to "a graduating female athlete who has exhausted her eligibility and distin- guished herself throughout her collegiate career in academics, athletics, service and leadership." Labonge, who helped NC State's women's squad win its first ACC title since 1980, was an All-American in the 200 freestyle and 200 medley relay, and All-ACC in the 50 and 100 free and 100 butterfly. Outside the pool, she was awarded the Weaver-James-Corrigan post - graduate scholarship by the ACC. Justin Ress, Men's Swimming The rising junior pulled off a major upset at the 2017 U.S. Nationals/World Championships Trials in the 50-meter backstroke, defeating Olym- pians Matt Grevers and Ryan Murphy with a time of 24.41 seconds, the fastest in the world this year at the distance and a meet record. Ress was within .08 of the American record for the race. The Cary, N.C., native was an All-American this past season in the 100 freestyle and part of the national champion 800 freestyle relay team. Ashley Williams, Basketball Four years after walking on at NC State in 2013, the Cary, N.C., native is continuing on in basketball. She was named a graduate assistant for Indiana University's women's basketball team in June. The sharpshooter who finished fourth all time at NCSU in three-point shooting accuracy (37.0 percent) was the 2016 Kay Yow Scholar Athlete of the Year in the ACC af- ter registering a 3.92 grade point average in industrial engineering. She attended the 2017 Women's Basketball Coaches Association workshop in Dallas this past March to begin pursuing a coaching career. ■ PACK PERFORMERS