RALEIGH, NC - Wake Tech Athletics vaulted into the spotlight by marking several firsts this year. Whether it was a tournament appearance, division championship or all-academic honors, 2022 was a year full of memorable milestones, personal accomplishments, and team achievements. Let's celebrate an extraordinary year by looking back at some of the stories making headlines for our Eagles.
Topping the list was the Eagles' first-ever appearance for women's basketball in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II National Championship Tournament. The top-10 list also includes notable accomplishments by Wake Tech student-athletes, coaches, and teams.
Top-10 Moments for 2022:
1 - Women's Basketball makes first ever appearance in NJCAA Division II tournament after winning the 2021-22 regular season. The Eagles qualified for the NJCAA championship following the 2019-20 season, but that event was cancelled due to the global pandemic.
2 - Wake Tech Esports wins Fall 2022 National Junior College Athletic Association Esports (NJCAAE) Rocket League Open Division Championship. The Eagles also had two teams reach the NJCAAE championship games during the Spring 2022 season.
3 - In the classroom, 10 Eagles earned NJCAA All-Academic Team honors and 22 earned NJCAA Region 10 All-Academic Honors.
4 - Anna Vann was named NJCAA Region 10 Division II Women's Basketball Player of the Year and was named First-Team All-American in 2022. In addition, her jersey hangs in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn. She also is the first Eagle to score 1,000 points in a career at Wake Tech.
5 – Men's Basketball's Shayne Saigo was named Second Team All-American and NJCAA Region 10 Division II Player of the Year. He also signed with Shaw University to continue his academic and athletic career.
6 – Former Men's soccer standout Alex Escamilla signs with NCAA Division I Coastal Carolina University to compete and continue his athletic career.
7 – The Eagles welcomed three new head coaches in 2022. David Nicholson (Court Volleyball), Liz Reif (Beach Volleyball), and Patrick McNair (Esports).
8 - Several Eagle teams participated in community service initiatives in Wake County and beyond including Note in the Pocket, Miracle League of the Triangle, and The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina.
9 – Adam Wainwright earns 2021-22 NJCAA Region 10 DII Coach of the Year honors.
10 – To help promote Wake Tech Athletics in the community, Eagle Athletics launched a dedicated online apparel store for fans to purchase official apparel and other branded items.
Honorable Mention
- Both women's and men's basketball teams spent much of 2021-22 season in the NJCAA DII national polls.
- After a several year break, Eagle Softball returned to the field and competed in NJCAA Region 10 DII competition.
- Gabi Green named NJCAA Region 10 Division II First Team honors.
- In early 2021 Wake Tech introduced an exciting new branding package. During 2022, the Wake Tech South Campus Gymnasium was updated with a new court design featuring the new branding.
- In partnership with Wake Tech Student Activities, Eagle Volleyball hosted a Spike Out Cancer game that raised proceeds for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
- Eagle Baseball played a three-game series at Five County Stadium.
- Athletics hosted the NJCAA Region 10 DII Volleyball Championship.