Culture State: Lots of NC State in the Raise Up Top 5 from last week
Posted March 22, 2021 6:20 p.m. EDT
The Culture State crew of Dennis Cox & Chris Lea celebrate those who put North Carolina on the sports & pop-culture map. On ‘Culture State Saturdays,’ heard 10 a.m. to noon on 99.9 The Fan Saturday mornings during the month of March, Chris has been bringing us the ‘Raise Up Top 5’ from the state of North Carolina.
Here’s last week’s Top 5!
No. 5 – Carolina Hurricanes 8-game winning streak
The Carolina Hurricanes are currently on a 3-game losing streak, but before that, the canes were on an 8-game winning streak. That was one shy of tying for the longest winning streak in the NHL this season — the New York islanders have that. Nonetheless, the Canes have one of the top teams in the NHL this year and could make a deep run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
No. 4 – NC State women’s swimming & diving setting NCAA record in the 400 medley relay
The NCAA Swim nationals were in Greensboro at the Greensboro Aquatic Center and history was made. NC State Swim & Dive just won their first ever national championship. It came in the Women's 400 Medley. Katharine Berkoff, Kylee Alons, Sophie Hanson & Julie Poole swam so fast in this event, they also set an NCAA Record for the event. So not only are they the best 400 medley team in the nation, right now they’re the best ever in NCAA competition history.
No. 3 – NC State men’s basketball winning in the NIT over Davidson
NC State, just like everyone else had no offseason. But they had a strong start to the season. But then came the COVID-19 pauses, then more game cancellations, then injuries. This NC State team could’ve succumb to all of the outside distractions but no, they rallied together and made a run towards the end of the regular season and made the NIT. NC State got an NIT win against a good Davidson team — 75 to 61. Their season will continue for at least another week and they’ll take on Buffalo next Saturday in the quarterfinals.
No. 2 – Carolina Panthers making low-key important signings
Carolina Panthers free agency moves were sneaky good. Free Agency started off with the additions of Pat Elflein and Cameron Erving on the offensive line. Not so hot about those moves, but it does build depth on the line to protect whomever will be the quarterback. But the Panthers are signing linebacker Denzel Perryman, who will be an upgrade from Tahir Whitehead if he can stay healthy — and is known to be a run stopper — something the Panthers need. They also signed edge rusher Hasson Reddick and defensive lineman Morgan Fox — making the defensive front a lot stronger. Plus there was 18.5 sacks between those two last season. Plus other moves at cornerback, running back, wide receiver and tight end which can hopefully help the team out.
No. 1 – NC State women’s basketball getting a 1-seed
They defeated number one South Carolina on the road. They defeated number one Louisville on the road. They won the women’s ACC Tournament. And still some were saying NC State’s women’s basketball team may not get a number one seed. But when selection Monday happened — who was the first number one seed announced? NC STATE!
