The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/896287
16 ■ THE WOLFPACKER TRACKING THE PACK "They said I was up there, but they didn't say I was the best. I want to be the one they're talking about. I want to be the comparison. That's a feeling of success." ■ NC State senior defensive end Bradley Chubb on want- ing to be the best player at his position (ESPN.com) "While evaluators would like to see [Ryan] Finley push the ball down the field more, the Wolfpack's QB has enough arm strength and range to stretch the field with the long ball. He must show more consistency with his accuracy and ball placement, but appears to have the whip to make deep-ball throws. With Finley showing superb ball security [12 touchdowns against one pick] and a complete understanding of how to play winning football at the position, he could be an intriguing option as a devel- opmental QB prospect." — NFL Draft experts Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks on NC State redshirt junior quarterback Ryan Finley (NFL.com) "He is a real shifty guy. He can beat man-to-man coverage, he's smart and re- ally quick side-to-side. And obviously he's got miraculous hands, he can go up and grab anything." — Finley on redshirt sophomore wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (The Technician) "Once Coach Keatts got here and started practicing and working out, it was a million times easier. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere." — NC State fifth-year senior center Lennard Freeman on being won over by first-year head coach Kevin Keatts (The Raleigh News & Observer) "It's not cool to be in [the receivers' room] and not to be serious. It's not cool to be in there and not play hard. It's not cool to be in there and drop a pass. They take it very serious in that room. I think before, there was a lot of immature guys in that room. He has created a culture that they've bought into." — NC State head coach Dave Doeren on the impact of Wolfpack receivers coach George McDonald (The Raleigh News & Observer) "When I first took the job I had the opportunity to take a look around here, and when I first saw the locker room it blew me away. … It almost gives us a feel that we're a pro team, which is really great. When we show recruits around I think it's one of the best selling points. … I really don't think there's a bad seat in the arena. I can take them up as far as they want to go and look at it." — Keatts on PNC Arena being the best arena in the country (The Raleigh News & Observer) "Here's the thing, though, building a program isn't just about recruiting. It's about changing the culture within the program and establishing a firm foundation to build upon. There's a solid buzz coming out of Raleigh right now and early word is that under Keatts' direction there is a new level of accountability within the program that is going to be beneficial to its long term health and sustainability as a competitor in the ACC." — Recruiting analyst Eric Bossi on the impact of Keatts (Rivals.com) "We have a lot of experience to replace, especially on the perimeter. We're very young, and we're going to have to grow up in a hurry, toughen up in a hurry. But I think we have some talent, I like our talent. But they're young, and we have a lot of work to do still." — NC State women's basketball coach Wes Moore on the upcoming season (The Technician) PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN QUOTING THE PACK Stephen Franken, Men's Golf The junior from Raleigh led NC State as a sophomore in stroke average at 71.17 per round and registered six top-10 individual finishes en route to making the All-ACC team. This fall, Franken did something he had not done before — win an event. He took home first place at the Wolfpack Intercollegiate on the Lonnie Poole Golf Course on NCSU's Centennial Campus by shooting a three-round score of 15-under par. NC State would also win the event as a team. Alexis Galarneau, Men's Tennis The sophomore from Laval, Canada, went farther in the Saint Francis ITA All-America Tennis Championships than any Wolfpacker in school history. Galarneau reached the quarterfinals before falling to No. 5 Wil - liam Blumberg of UNC. On the way to the quarters, Galarneau (ranked No. 43 nationally) defeated No. 21 Wayne Montgomery of Georgia and No. 104 Alex Lebedev of Notre Dame, both in straight sets. Galarneau was named second-team All-ACC as a freshman and ended the year ranked No. 74 in singles. Tziarra King, Women's Soccer After scoring eight goals as a freshman, the Sicklerville, N.J., native has taken her game to a new level in her sophomore campaign. Through 19 games, King had 14 goals to go with six assists, both team highs. She was named the United Soccer Coaches Division I Women's Player of the Week Oct. 31 after netting a hat trick in NCSU's 4-1 win over No. 24 Notre Dame in the first round of the ACC Tournament. King led the ACC in points scored (34) and was second in goals. Manny Perez, Men's Soccer The touted freshman from nearby Garner was consid - ered a prized recruit and rated No. 55 overall nationally in the 2017 class by College Soccer News. He has lived up to the expectations during his rookie season. Perez has five goals and four assists for 14 total points through 13 games. He was named the Top Drawer Soccer National Player of the Week Oct. 24 after having a combined two goals and three assists in back-to-back wins over UNC Wilmington and No. 5 Louisville. Kylie Pickrell, Volleyball The junior from Coppell, Texas, is a transfer from Arizona State and has made a significant impact while helping NC State jump out to a 10-2 record in conference play. Pickrell set a rally scoring era program record with 70 assists to help the Pack earn a five-set win on the road over Florida State Oct. 29. That was also the most of any ACC player through Oct. 31 and tied for the third most by any player in Division I. Pickrell was named the ACC Volleyball Co-Player of the Week for her effort. ■ PACK PERFORMERS