There’s something about homegrown pride that makes putting on a Team USA jersey even more meaningful.
Five collegiate stars hailing from North Carolina, Anderson Nance, Cameron Bagwell, Ethan Norby, Jacob Dudan, and Ryan Marohn, are showing that USA Baseball isn’t just about national pride. It’s personal.
It’s rooted in hometown fields, weekend travel tournaments, childhood dreams, and years of looking up to players who once stood where they now stand.
At the heart of this story is a strong NC State connection is none other than the “Wolfpack Trio”. Dudan, Marohn, and Nance—teammates in Raleigh—have each carved their path to this moment.
But now, all three are wearing the same colors for a different team: red, white, and blue.
For Dudan, who’s making his second appearance with USA Baseball, the experience is just as surreal as the first.
“Wearing the USA across my chest is something I've always thought about when I started playing baseball, and now getting to come back for the second year, it's just an honor to play again. It's always an honor to wear the USA across the chest.”
Marohn echoed those sentiments, having known that being selected for the Collegiate National Team Training Camp was a lifelong goal.
“It's always been a dream to play for the Collegiate [National] Team, and just being here with all these guys who are the top players is truly a dream, and it's unbelievable,” Marohn said. I’m really looking forward to meeting all these new players and enjoying all these experiences.”
The two of them are joined by another Wolfpack arm, Nance, whose journey to Team USA began at a young age through the Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP), one of Major League Baseball and USA Baseball’s premier player development programs.
“I’ve been here before during my earlier years for PDP events, but nothing compares to what I’m doing now. Back then, I’d come here as a little kid and dream about putting this jersey on. Finally getting to wear it—it’s just an incredible feeling.”
For Nance, it's not just about personal success—it’s about legacy. He remembers being the kid on the outside looking in, and now hopes to be the one that young players look to for inspiration.
“I just think back to when I was younger, looking up to guys like this. I try to keep that in perspective now, because kids are watching us the same way.”
From East Carolina, Norby brings a different piece of the state’s baseball fabric to Team USA. Having grown up competing at the National Training Complex and watching from the stands, he now finds himself on the mound in a Team USA jersey.
“Growing up living here, I've gotten the opportunity to play here in Cary a couple of times, and I've always wanted to put on the Team USA jersey. I’m just excited.”
Like his fellow North Carolinian teammates, Norby sees his presence at this Training Camp as something bigger than himself.
His advice to those young players watching. Keep true to yourself.
“Don’t worry too much about what other people think or say. Just put your head down, stay focused, work hard, and most importantly, enjoy the game. If you keep showing up and putting in the effort, good things will come,” Norby explained.
Bagwell, now at Wake Forest, is another homegrown product living out his childhood dream. As a kid, USA Baseball felt like a distant goal, but was one that began to feel more real with every workout and tournament he played at the Complex just minutes from his hometown.
“When you’re a kid, you always dream about playing for the country you grew up in, so getting this opportunity is really a dream come true,” reflected Bagwell. “Growing up, I came up to the Complex a few times for workouts, and just being back here now—it’s such a blessing.”
Bagwell’s path was fueled by clear goals.
The first? Play college baseball. Once that dream was realized, the focus shifted to soaking in every moment of the journey.
“Playing college baseball was always a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. Once I got there, I just tried to take advantage of the moment and have fun and, you know, be blessed that I'm there... As a kid, I always wanted to represent my country, so getting to finally wear ‘U-S-A’ across my chest means everything.”
Whether it’s Dudan returning for a second stint, Nance reliving his PDP memories, or Bagwell achieving the goals he once only dreamed about, each player shares a common thread: they’re proof that North Carolina baseball talent can rise to the national stage and stay there.
More than just top-tier athletes, these five players are now role models, examples of what can happen with hard work and opportunity.
And as they compete for a spot on the final Collegiate National Team roster, they carry with them not only the pride of their state, but the hopes of the next generation of baseball players who are dreaming of their moment in the stars and stripes.
