WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina State University

Fan celebrations continue after NC State tops Duke

Jan 12, 2013

Raleigh, N.C. — Wolfpack fans stormed the court and Mr. Wolf took to crowd surfing as NC State took down No. 1 Duke Saturday for the first time in three years, but the celebration wasn’t confined to PNC Arena.

All roads lead to Hillsborough Street and the NC State Bell Tower following the 84-76 Wolfpack win. The stage was set for a parade of Wolfpack fans and had NC State Alums reliving their college days.

“We are 1983 Wolfpack graduates, when we won, and we're doing to do it again,” said Mary Williams.

Many of the fans celebrating Saturday remember where they were a year ago when the Wolfpack lost a heartbreaker to Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. For them, the redemption is sweet.

“It was such a painful loss, but it's all taken over now,” said junior Aaron Pickart. “I mean, the euphoria, I'm at a loss for words. I really can't articulate how meaningful this is.”

The last time NC State beat Duke, many of the current NC State seniors were just freshmen. Three years removed, the feeling is easy to reenact.

“I remember the win freshman year and it felt just as good as it feels now,” said senior Justin Mitel. “Amazing.”

And for all those in Wolfpack nation that celebrated Saturday, they are hoping that it is the first of many big wins this season as they try and live up to their preseason ACC hype.

 

• Reporter: Ken Smith
• Photographer: Andrew Cumbee
• Web Editor: Aaron Schoonmaker