NC State Announces 2026 Wolfie Awards Winners

NC State held their Annual Wolfie Awards last night, which NC State held its annual Wolfie Awards last night, recognizing the top individual and team performances across Wolfpack athletics over the past calendar year.

Here’s a full rundown of the winners: the best team and individual achievements from the past calendar year.

Men’s Rookie of the Year

• Men’s Swimmer Max Carlsen
• Women’s Swimmer Eneli Jefimova

Carlsen captured ACC titles in the 500 and 1650 freestyle, earning All-American honors in both events while setting a new ACC record in the 1000 freestyle.

Jefimova dominated the breaststroke, winning both the ACC and NCAA National Championship in the 100 breaststroke. She also earned All-American honors in multiple relay events.

Comeback Player of the Year

• Linebacker Caden Fordham

Fordham returned from a season-ending knee injury in 2024 to lead the ACC in tackles (143) and finish second nationally. He led all Power 4 defenders in tackles.

Chris Combs Award

• Soccer Senior Caden Tolentino

The Chris Combs Award is given to a male student-athlete who exemplifies Chris Combs through a lifetime of love and passion for their sport, a great team leader, and ability to stay strong through adversity. Talentino was a captain for the Wolfpack this season, after not playing a single game as a Junior.

Kay Yow Award

• Gymnast Kailee Adomaites

The Kay Yow Award is is given to a female student-athlete who exemplifies outstanding academic and athletic achievement, in addition to community service and a true spirit of teamwork. Adomaites was unable to compete this season, after competing in every meet as a Sophomore and Junior.

Co-Women’s Individual Performance of the Year

• Women’s Tennis Doubles Gabriella Broadfoot & Victoria Osuigwe

The duo won the 2025 NCAA Women’s Doubles National Championship and earned All-American honors.

Heart of the Pack Award

• Linebacker AJ Richardson
• Women’s Swimmer Katherine Helms

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

Richardson was only able to play in 4 games for the Wolfpack, battling injuries, after transferring in last offseason from Norfolk St.

Helms was a an ACC finalist in the 500 free, 1650 free, and 400 IM, placing 10th, 8th, and 13th respectively, and competed in the 800 freestyle relay at the NCAA Championships, finishing 17th overall

Men’s Individual Performance of the Year

• Wrestler Issac Trumble

Trumble won the National Championship in the Heavyweight division in his final collegiate season, finishing undefeated with a 21-0 record.

Men’s Team Performance of the Year

• NC State Football (48-36 win over No. 8 Georgia Tech)

This was the third largest margin of victory over a Top-10 in the last 75 years. The Wolfpack was without its leading rusher and receiver due to injury, but quarterback CJ Bailey put the team on his back, finishing with 374 yards of offense, with 2 passing touchdowns, and 1 rushing touchdown.

Women’s Team Performance of the Year

• Women’s Cross Country Team

The Women’s Cross Country team won the National Championship for the 4th time in the last 5 years.

Pride of the Pack Award

• Men’s Basketball Player Jordan Snell
• Women’s Cross Country and Track’s Kate Putman

The Pride of the Pack Award is given to those who commit to the four guiding tenets of Trust, Accountability, Passion and Empathy.

Snell returned as a Senior as a walk-on, despite the exodus of Kevin Keatts, and proved to be a key leader on the Men’s Basketball team.

Putman earned All-ACC honors in outdoor 1500m (First Team) and indoor DMR. She also earned All-American honors in indoor DMR.

Men’s Team of the Year

• Men’s Soccer

The Men’s Soccer team made it to the NCAA Championship game for the first time ever, making it to the Final Four for the 1st time in 35 years.

Women’s Team Performance of the Year

• Women’s Cross Country

See above.

H.C. Kennett Award

• Men’s Soccer Donavan Phillip
• Wrestler Isaac Trumble
• Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field Angelina Napoleon

The H.C. Kennett Award is NC State’s highest athletic honor and is awarded to the best men’s and women’s athletes.

See above for Trumble.

Phillip won the MAC Hermann Trophy, becoming the first player in school history to do so. He was the ACC Offensive Player of the Year, and earned 1st Team All-American honors. Phillip led the NCAA in goals scored.

Napoleon earned All-American honors in Indoor DMR, Indoor 3000m, and Cross Country.