Payton Wilson: In somewhat of a surprise, Wilson announced he would return to N.C. State for his senior season on Saturday. Last month, Wilson took part in graduation exercises with the Wolfpack and many figured he would declare for the NFL Draft after this season. On Friday, on what was one full day for N.C. State athletics, the Wolfpack lost to former Atlantic Division rival Maryland 16-12 at the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Wilson finished with ten tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss. N.C. State ended the year 8-5. This season, Wilson was tied for third on the team with 82 tackles. He had 12.5 tackles for loss, which was also third on the team. Wilson also had 4.5 sacks with one interception. Next season will be a senior. He started at N.C. State in 2019.
Trenton Gill: Gill’s rookie season with the Chicago Bears of the National Football League is winding down. On Sunday, the Detroit Lions defeated Chicago 41-10 at Ford Field. Gill had seven punts for an average of 45.9 yards. His longest punt was 56 yards. Three of them were downed inside the 20-yard line. On December 24, the Buffalo Bills pulled away from the Bears 35-13 at Solider Field. Gill had four punts for an average of 49.3 yards. His longest punt was 63 yards. One was downed inside the 20-yard line. The Bears are 3-12 and will face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday to finish out the season.
Bryse Wilson: Last week, Wilson was designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates after 18 months with the franchise. Wilson was removed from Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster. Within the next week, Wilson must either be traded or placed on waivers. Last season, Wilson went 3-9 with a 5.52 ERA in 25 appearances with the Pirates. Wilson, who recently became a father, was traded by the Atlanta Braves to Pittsburgh on July 30, 2021.
Connor Crabtree: The Richmond Spiders men’s basketball team lost to George Mason 62-58 in its Atlantic 10 opener on Saturday at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, VA. Crabtree played two minutes and had one steal. On December 28, Richmond routed Coppin State 83-65 at the Robins Center. Crabtree played four minutes and didn’t score. The Spiders are 7-7, 0-1 in the Atlantic 10.
Joey McMullin: The Sandhills Community College men’s basketball team opened 2023 with a 84-76 loss to Davidson-Davie Community College 84-76 on Sunday in Pinehurst. McMullin scored six points in 22 minutes. He also had three rebounds, three assists and two steals. The Flyers fall to 12-3. They will play Hines Prep on Tuesday.
Braden Homsey: The Division III Ferrum College wrestling team placed sixth in the Citrus Invitational at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, FL on Thursday and Friday. Homsey finished 7th in the 197-pound tournament. He opened with a technical fall victory over Stephen Jennings of Castleton 16-0. In the quarterfinals, Nigel Williams of UNC Pembroke defeated Homsey 3-2. Homsey won his consolation match over R.J. Iban of Ozarks via tech fall 15-0. Haven Tartarek of Castleton defeated Homsey 6-5 in the consolation semifinal. In the seventh place match, Homsey defeated Garrett Steele of UNC Pembroke via medical forfeit.