North Carolina State University Athletics
Pack Ready for ACC Championships
2/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Track
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RALEIGH, N.C. - The NC State track and field team will head to Blacksburg, Va., for the 2015 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Indoor Track and Field Championships, held Thursday, Feb. 26 through Saturday, Feb. 28 inside Rector Fieldhouse.
As the indoor season is coming to a conclusion, many competitors for the Wolfpack are turning in stronger performances each time they compete. With this being the biggest meet of the season so far, the Wolfpack has a prime opportunity to make a #STATEment.
One More Trip:
Rector Fieldhouse has been a home away from home for the Wolfpack this season. The team has taken four trips to the building so far, and has seen success at the venue.
At the Virginia Tech Challenge, Nicole Chavis broke the school record in the weight throw, while Jonathan Addison jumped to the first-place honor in the long jump at the Virginia Tech Elite.
In addition, the team has earned seven top-10 conference marks and set numerous season-best performances in the building this year.
Conference Qualifiers:
The Wolfpack enters the ACC Indoor Championships with 41 qualifying marks. The Pack will compete in 16 men's events and 15 women's events.
The top eight in each event will score points and with 27 marks ranked among the top-10 in the ACC, NC State has a solid chance for a good finish in the conference.
Rising To The Occasion:
Big meets have brought the best out of the Wolfpack in competition this season. At the VT Elite, the Pack turned in strong performances against several nationally ranked SEC and ACC teams.
The following weekend, the Pack competed in meets across the country against multiple top-25 programs. The team earned ACC qualifying marks and placed among the top times in NC State history in several events.
During this two-week stretch, State took its biggest strides - earning 11 of its top ACC marks and four of it top national marks.
Geiger's Expectations:
"The competition is going to be at a very high level. It is a very competitive arena. When I was with the team on Sunday, we talked about the importance of this meet. We want to have athletes score points by placing in in the top eight, finish as all-conference performers and become ACC Champions." - Head Coach Rollie Geiger
National Implications:
National qualifying marks are still available. Last year, Chavis and Tremanisha Taylor both made it to the NCAA Indoor Championships - this year, more are expecting to follow.
Currently, NC State is in position to have representation in the women's DMR, women's weight throw, women's 60m hurdles, women's long jump and men's long jump. The NC State student athletes in these events are ranked among the top-16 in national polls.
Due to the changing nature of the national standings, no place is guaranteed until all qualifying meets are concluded. However, this serves as an opportunity for several other Wolfpack student athletes earn national marks.
Scouting the Competition:
This year's meet is loaded with national-level talent. Five teams are ranked in the top-25 of the USATFCCCA polls, while at least one representative from the conference is among the national standings list in all but one event.
The Virginia Tech men's team checks in as the highest-ranked team at No. 8, while No. 19 Florida State rounds out the men's ranked teams. On the women's side, No. 15 Clemson leads the ACC while No. 22 Florida State and No. 24 Notre Dame follow.
Louisville will compete in the conference championships for the first time. Going into ACC competition, the Cardinals have 21 student athletes in the top-10 of ACC standings.
