NC State Athletics Unveils the 2022-23 Wolfie Awards

The NC State Athletics Department gathered at James T. Valvano Arena at Reynolds Coliseum for the 2023 Wolfie Awards on Monday night. The gala showcased the best of Wolfpack Athletics over the past calendar year.

Katelyn Tuohy (women’s cross country/track & field) and Christopher Dunn (football) were honored with the H.C. Kennett Award, which is the highest athletic award at NC State that is given annually to a superior student-athlete who demonstrates the finest attributes of good sportsmanship and team play.

Tuohy, an individual national champion in the cross country 6K, indoor track 5,000-meter and indoor track 3,000-meter, helped lead NC State to its second straight national championship in cross country and its highest final ranking (No. 6) in women’s indoor track & field in program history. Tuohy was named the USTFCCCA Southeast Region Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Year and the ACC Cross Country Scholar Athlete of the Year.

Tuohy set the NCAA record for the indoor 3,000-meter with a time of 8:35.20. She also set the NCAA record for the indoor mile with a time of 4:24.26. She ranked first in the country for the mile, 3K and 5K leading into NCAA Indoors where she claimed two individual national championships.

Christopher Dunn, the winner of the 2022 Lou Groza Place-Kicker Award, became the NCAA career leader in field goals (97) and ended his career ranked second in kick scoring (491 points) after a sensational final season with the Wolfpack. Dunn missed just one kick (28 of 29) the entire season and led the nation in field goals per game.

Dunn owns three of the top four field goal streaks in school history and connected on all 200 of his career PAT attempts – another new school record. He also earned the football team’s Governor’s Award for MVP.

NC State also recognized its All-Americans and Academic All-Americans across all sports, as well as the MVPs for each team. The winners for the Wolfpack’s yearly awards are as follows:

Rookie of the Year
Awarded to a male and female freshman that has had a significant impact on their team’s competitiveness.

• Luca Staeheli, Men’s Tennis: Luca Staheli helped lead NC State to a 20-10 record as a redshirt freshman, finishing with an 18-8 overall record and 6-1 ACC record in singles play. He was also named the ACC Freshman of the Year for his play.
• Priska Nugroho, Women’s Tennis: Priska Nugroho helped lead the Wolfpack to a 26-6 record and an NCAA Elite Eight berth as a true freshman. She was tabbed the program’s first ACC Rookie of the Year after finishing with a 22-6 record in singles in dual-match play. She also finished with a 25-3 record in doubles play.

Comeback Player of the Year
Awarded to the student-athlete who has overcome significant or prolonged injury or illness to provide a major contribution to their team.

• Chloe Negrete, Gymnastics: Chloe Negrete tallied 26 podium finishes, including 14 first-place finishes, in just 36 routines completed in 2023. She was the only gymnast in EAGL ranked in the top five in three separate events in the National Qualifying Score (NQS). Negrete missed the entire 2022 season after rehabbing and recovering from a torn Achilles.

Heart of the Pack Award
Presented to a male and female student-athlete who demonstrates the attributes of being a good teammate, giving great effort, having an exceptional attitude and being mindful of themselves and others.

• Kendall Edwards, Men’s Soccer
• Meredith Robinson, Gymnastics

Kay Yow Award
Presented by the Wolfpack Club to a female student-athlete who exemplifies outstanding academic achievement, athletic achievement, community service and a true spirit of teamwork.

• Chloe Negrete, Gymnastics

Chris Combs Award
Presented by the Wolfpack Club to a male student-athlete who exemplifies Chris Combs through a lifetime love and passion for their sport, great team leader and ability to stay strong through adversity.

• Grant Gibson, Football

ACC Scholar Athlete of the Year
The nominees for this award must be in an ACC sponsored sport and in their last year of athletic competition.  The ACC Scholar Athlete of the Year will be awarded to the student-athlete who achieved at the highest level both academically and athletically.

• Gavin Gaynor, Men’s Track & Field/Cross Country
• Allie Hays, Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country

Individual Performance of the Year
Awarded to a male and female student-athlete that had an outstanding performance in a competition.