In what was a great year for NC State Athletics, a few athletes separated themselves from the Pack. Our staff has compiled a list of awards for the best athletic performances the Wolfpack had to offer.
Unsung hero – Mohamed Diarra, men’s basketball
There aren’t enough words to describe junior forward Mohamed Diarra. When it was time to perform, Diarra always stepped up, especially when it came to rebounding. Including the ACC and NCAA tournaments, Diarra had a four-game double-double stretch and a seven-game stretch of 10 or more rebounds.
Doing this all during the month of Ramadan shouldn’t be overlooked either. Without being able to eat or drink from sunrise to sunset, the Frenchman still came to play and left it all out on the floor to help NC State reach its first Final Four since 1983.
Most resilient – Brennan Armstrong, football
Graduate quarterback Brennan Armstrong had high expectations coming into the season because he was being reunited with his former offensive coordinator at Virginia, Robert Anae. With Anae, he threw for over 4,000 yards and 31 touchdowns and Wolfpack Nation expected the same production for the 2023 season.
Armstrong got off to a rough start and was eventually benched for quarterback MJ Morris. When Morris decided to redshirt the year halfway through the season, Armstrong was thrust back into the starting role and played the best football of his life. In the last three games, he accounted for nine touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Armstrong capped off the regular season throwing for 334 yards and three touchdowns in a 39-20 win over UNC-Chapel Hill. Instead of pouting after he was benched, he handled it like a “grown-ass man” — to quote Aydan White — and returned a better player.
Coach of the Year – Kevin Keatts
No other NC State coach received more scrutiny and criticism amongst his fanbase than men’s basketball head coach Kevin Keatts. Following a subpar regular season that ended with a four-game losing streak, many fans wanted Keatts gone after seven seasons in Raleigh. If you need any evidence, just take a look at the backlash one Technician article got that was written in support of Keatts in February.
Whoever wrote that article obviously must be some kind of genius, because Keatts proceeded to lead his team to five wins in five days at the ACC Tournament for the program’s first ACC title since 1987, then only followed that up with an incredible run to the Final Four, the Wolfpack’s first since 1983. One loss away from being unemployed, Keatts could now run for Mayor of Raleigh and has virtually locked himself into a lifetime contract as head man of the Pack.
Rookie of the Year – Kevin Concepcion
Without freshman receiver Kevin Concepcion, there’s no telling where NC State football would’ve finished its season. The freshman phenom put the Wolfpack offense on his back and willed it through much of the season. The Chambers High School product burned opposing defensive backs with his uncanny ability to get open and make game-changing plays.
Concepcion saved his most prolific performance for the Tar Heels. He racked up 131 yards and a pair of touchdowns on seven receptions in the Pack’s 39-20 win over Carolina while also working himself into the rushing game with 55 yards on the ground. Concepcion’s do-it-all ability has him projected as one of the top returning receivers in all of college football.
Transfer of the Year – DJ Horne, men’s basketball
After four years away from home, graduate guard DJ Horne returned to Raleigh for the best season of his collegiate career. Horne spent two years at Illinois State and two at Arizona State where he proved himself as a capable player. However, when he returned home, Horne became a walking firework show for the 919, dazzling Wolfpack fans with his scoring ability.
After lighting up the regular season, Horne and his teammates saved their best for last in the postseason. Over a ten-game postseason run, Horne, along with graduate forward DJ Burns Jr., put NC State college basketball back on the map. From a 29-point ACC championship performance to hitting four 3’s in the Sweet 16, Horne brought countless moments and clutch shots to NC State.
Breakout team – Gymnastics
Finishing the season ranked No. 16 in the country, NC State gymnastics had one of the best records on campus. Going undefeated in ACC play and winning the program’s 8th conference championship, it’s safe to say that there could be a new dynasty team in Raleigh.
Riding on the backs of graduate students Chloe Negrete, Emily Shephard and Alexis Ortega, the Wolfpack set program records left and right. Negrete took home nine straight Gymnast of the Week awards throughout the season along with freshman Katie Harper winning a few accolades of her own. With seven freshmen on the roster, the Pack will have a young and budding team for a few years to come, but that won’t be something that will hold the red-and-white back.
Team leader – Sam Highfill, baseball
In college sports, many athletes have benefitted from being granted an additional year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One athlete in particular is Wolfpack graduate pitcher Sam Highfill, and the Pack has certainly benefited from his presence this season. So far this season, pitching has mostly been a shaky aspect of NC State’s game. However, Highfill has done his part to lead the group as he usually serves as the Friday night starter to give the Pack a leg up to get the weekend started.
Some of Highfill’s best baseball came in March when he posted three games in which he tallied at least seven strikeouts. He saw particular success in a seven-inning showing against high-ranked Duke and an eighth-inning performance against Notre Dame in which he did not allow a single run to score. Throughout his collegiate career, Highfill has had to battle injury concerns, however this season he has overcome adversity and provided the team with a reliable leader.
