The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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SEPTEMBER 2017 ■ 75 the 40-50 range, but they make that move up. Kemp and Koon did that last year, but their teammates couldn't join them. "They understood how to do that because they had been there before, and they did it well," Henes said. "Some of our other athletes tried to do that and didn't do it as effectively. The field was too big." While Oregon, Colorado, Michigan, New Mexico and Stanford all appear to be loaded again this fall, NC State has the talent to compete with the top squads in the country. "We have a really good mix," Henes said. "It is probably similar to last year where we have the junior and senior leadership that has run at nationals two to three times." The Frazier sisters were acclaimed prep runners at Raleigh Ravenscroft, and Elly Henes — who is the daughter of Coach Henes — attended nearby Green Hope High in Cary. This should be the year when the trio combines to become a force. "Ryan, Wesley and Elly going into last season really didn't have a summer [in 2016]," Henes said. "They all had some kind of issues, and Elly was coming in from high school. "Having a good summer will really help them have the cross country season that they want. Those three were all playing catch-up last year in cross country." The Frazier sisters finally ran as NC State teammates for the first time at the 2016 ACC Championships. Wesley, who started her college career at Duke, finished 10th in the ACC and was 47th at the NCAA Championships. Ryen Frazier, who redshirted during the 2016 indoor and outdoor track seasons, placed 14th at the league meet and earned All-ACC honors for the second time in her career. Both Henes' parents, Bob and Laurie, were outstanding runners at NC State, and expectations were high for Elly last year. The lone negative about Henes' fresh- man year was something that was out of her control. She got trampled during the NCAA Championships, leading her to fin- ish 159th. "She still has a massive scar from it," Coach Henes said. "She still picked off 100 people, so she was solid in that situation." Rudawsky also understands what is like to grow up in a running family. Her mother Vicki (Huber) Rudawsky ran in the 1988 and 1996 Olympics, competing in the 1,500- and 3,000-meter runs. She also won eight NCAA titles at Villanova. "Rudawsky has been really consistent for us the last two years in cross country," Henes said. "She could be poised for a breakthrough as well." Redshirt freshmen Anna Vess and Dominique Clairmonte, and senior Bi- anca Bishop could all be in line to push for spots. Henes is also excited about her incoming freshman class, but their turn to shine could be down the road. "Recruiting has gone well, and we have a good freshman class," Henes said. "I'm sure someone from that class will wind up in uniform, but I don't know at this point." ■ Athletes To Watch Redshirt junior Rachel Koon The Asheville, N.C., product earned All-America honors after finishing 25th at the NCAA Cham - pionships, and she earned All-ACC honors after leading the Wolfpack with a fourth-place indi- vidual finish at the conference meet. Fifth-year senior Wesley Frazier The Duke transfer ran once during the 2015 cross country season at NC State, and then par- ticipated in two meets in 2016. However, they were two of the three biggest meets for the Wolfpack. The Raleigh native was NC State's sec - ond runner by finishing 10th at the ACC Cham- pionships, and then she was the third runner in tallying a 47th-place finish at the NCAA Cham- pionships. Fifth-year senior Alyssa Rudawsky The Garnet Valley, Pa., native was rock solid down the stretch in cross country last year. She earned All-ACC honors for finishing 12th in the conference meet, and then duplicated that show - ing at the NCAA Southeast Regional to receive all-region recognition. She capped her season by finishing 84th at the NCAA Championships. Noting The Pack • NC State's appearance at the 2016 NCAA Championships marked the Wolfpack's 29th showing in the 36-year history of the event. That is the most appearances at the national meet of any school. • NC State climbed to a No. 2 national rank- ing in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association's poll following the win at the ACC Championships. That was the highest ranking for the Wolfpack since 2006, when it tied for the No. 2 spot. • Head coach Laurie Henes was named the ACC Coach of the Year in women's cross country after guiding NC State to its 22nd team championship in league history. ■ By The Numbers 7 All-ACC Academic Team members last season — Ryen Frazier, Elly Henes, Erika Kemp, Rachel Koon, Kaitlyn Kramer, Megan Moye and Alyssa Rudawsky. 11 ACC individual champions in school history with Laura Hoer the last league winner in 2010. 45 All-Americans at NC State since Joan Benoit and Julie Shea set the tone in 1977. Last fall marked the 16th year that multiple team members earned the honor for the Wolfpack, with Kemp and Koon achieving the feat. Fifth-year senior Wesley Frazier ran in only two meets last fall, but was the Wolfpack's second runner at the ACC Championships with a 10th-pace finish and its third runner at the NCAA Championships with a 47th-place showing. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS