The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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18 ■ THE WOLFPACKER TRACKING THE PACK TEAMWORK AT PNC ARENA SAVES SOUTH CAROLINA STATE'S TY SOLOMON South Carolina State senior point guard Ty Solomon collapsed by the Bulldogs bench with 13:08 left in the first half Dec. 2 at PNC Arena, setting in motion several steps that saved his life. First various players and coaches tried to cool Solo - mon down, but when he hit the floor the Bulldogs trainer and graduate student Tyler Long immediately sprang into action to give CPR. The public address announcer at PNC Arena quickly alerted the need for medical people amidst a scary scene. Players from both teams huddled around each other and said prayers, while audible shrieks were uttered by some of the South Carolina State fans and family members behind the bench. The CPR and an automated external defibrillator helped revive Solomon, and he was taken to Rex Hos - pital in Raleigh, where he would spend the next five days. He was able to return home the night of Dec. 7. At the Missouri-Kansas City at NC State game at historic Reynolds Coliseum Dec. 9, Wake County para- medics Greg Rodevick and Rich Eldridge were honored and received a standing ovation. The duo and Long worked to revive Solomon's heartbeat and keep him alive. South Carolina State wanted to keep playing fol - lowing Solomon's near-death experience. NC State went on to win 103-71, but basketball took a backseat that day. "It puts everything else in perspective, and bas- ketball is not important," NC State head coach Kevin Keatts said. "Our guys were really bothered. If you look at it, that could be one of your teammates." NC STATE WOMEN'S HOOPS SIGNS TWO STAR POST PLAYERS The NC State women's basketball program signed 6-5 Elissa Cunane of Greensboro (N.C.) Northern Guilford and 6-4 Jada Rice of Suwanee (Ga.) Collins Hill High during the November signing period. "Coach Wes Moore at NC State has really impacted his frontcourt," All-Star Girls Report recruiting analyst Bret McCormick said. "Cunane and Rice provide size and power. They both play with high motors and have versatility on both sides of the ball. "They will both be tough matchups for all oppo - nents. The future is bright for the Wolfpack." Cunane, who lives in Summerfield, N.C., verbally committed to NC State during her junior season. She went on to average 20.3 points, 12.7 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game while leading Northern Guilford to a 31-1 record and the 3A state title. Prospects Nation ranks Cunane No. 21 overall na- tionally in the class of 2018. "Her size and athleticism are things that we really need," Moore said. "She plays harder than any 6-5 kid I have ever seen. That is exciting. "She is going to set a tone and lead with her effort." Rice earned all-state recognition and helped Collins Hill go 25-5 and reach the Final Four of the 2017 Geor- gia 7A state championships. Prospects Nation ranked Rice at No. 57 overall in the class of 2018. "Jada Rice is someone who has the great combina- tion of length and athleticism," Moore said. "I think her best days are ahead of her, and she has a very high ceiling. She is going to be able to run the floor and score on the block, and I think we are going to be able to expand her game as we go." BOTH CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS PLACE IN TOP 20 AT NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS The NC State women's cross country team finished eighth and the men's squad finished 17th at the NCAA Championships Nov. 18 in Louisville, Ky. NC State was one of nine programs nationally with both genders among the top 20, while it marked the women's third straight top-10 placement. NCSU sophomore Elly Henes finished 32nd overall to earn All-America honors and was followed by sopho - more Bethlehem Taye in 54th. Freshman Dominique Clairmonte was 58th, junior Rachel Koon placed 82nd and junior Ryen Frazier finished 150th. Freshman Isabel Zimmermann (169th) and senior Alyssa Rudawsky (210th) also ran in the race, but did not contribute to the team score. Senior Aubrey Myjer led the way for the men, check - ing in at 74th overall. Freshman teammate Ian Shanklin was right behind him at 75th. Junior Elijah Moskowitz was the Pack's third runner and finished 95th overall, freshman Joe Bistritz placed 137th and junior Patrick Sheehan was 158th. Sophomore Ben Barrett (188th) and junior Philip Hall (238th) also competed for NC State, but their times didn't count toward the team score. WOMEN'S SOCCER FALLS IN SECOND ROUND OF NCAA TOURNEY The NC State women's soccer team opened the NCAA Tournament with a 4-1 victory over Arkansas in the first round, but had its season come to an end in heartbreaking fashion against Princeton Nov. 17 at WakeMed Soccer Park. Princeton took a 1-0 lead in the 66th minute, but NC State star sophomore Tziarra King answered in the 82nd minute. Neither team could score again in regu - lation and two different overtime periods. Princeton managed two shots on goal and NC State had one in the overtime periods. Princeton won on penalty kicks 5-4 to advance in the NCAA Tournament. NC State finished the season 15-5-2 overall and was able to reach the ACC Championship semifinals for the first time in more than two decades. NCSU finished third in the regular-season standings. The Wolfpack received an invite to the NCAA Tour - nament for the second straight year, following up last season's Sweet 16 appearance with another berth. NC State finished No. 16 in the final Top Drawer Soccer national rankings, No. 21 in the United Soccer Coaches poll and No. 23 in Soccer America's rankings. NC STATE SOCCER HIRES STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH The NC State Olympic sports strength and condition- ing staff hired Craig Turner Dec. 14, to help bolster the Wolfpack soccer programs. Turner will serve as a hybrid coach-sport scientist by providing strength and conditioning services to the men's and women's soccer teams. He'll also conduct projects that answer performance-related questions. "The addition of Craig is a cutting edge and innova - tive move, not just for women's soccer, but for NC State," NCSU coach head coach Tim Santoro said. "Our program will continue to find ways to separate and improve to get to the top of the ACC and NCAA. This is a great step towards that." The Oldham, England, native was previously a postdoctoral researcher at Liverpool John Moores University in Liverpool, England, conducting his re - search in collaboration with the Nike Sports Research Laboratory. He also was a full-time sport scientist and strength and conditioning coach at the Nike Academy for under-21 players until 2015. ■ Red And White Notebook NCSU players huddle after South Carolina State's Ty Solomon collapsed during the Dec. 2 game in Raleigh. Solomon's life was saved, and he was released from the hospital five days later. PHOTO BY MATT CARTER