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Home > Featured Stories > Outside the Classroom > November 2007 > Former NC State Athlete Takes 'Wheel' for a Spin

Former NC State Athlete Takes 'Wheel' for a Spin

By Dave Pond, Web Communication

The high-definition image of a former NC State pole vaulter will be beamed into living rooms across the country Friday night as she takes one of America's longest-running game shows for a spin.

Nicole Griffin ('02), currently pursuing a master's degree in Microbiology at NC State, went through several rounds of local tryouts and auditions before she was invited to fly to Culver City, Calif., and put her puzzle-solving abilities to the test on the set of Wheel of Fortune. The show will be broadcast at 7:30 p.m. on ABC affiliates across the country, including WTVD-11 in the Raleigh area.

"I've always liked Wheel of Fortune, and I just think solving puzzles is a lot of fun," Griffin said. "They had a 'Wheelmobile' appearance at one of the local malls last fall, and I was one of the few people randomly selected to go up on stage."

Griffin solved her puzzle with relative ease, and her personality and outgoing demeanor led to a second audition several weeks later as the Wheel crew set up shop a local hotel.

"First they made us stand up and talk in front of everyone to see how comfortable we were, and then we had to take a written test to try to solve puzzles," she said. "Then, they tested us playing the wheel."

After judges sent half of the contestants packing, the remaining competitors continued to spin the wheel in hopes of making an impression on event organizers, who would select just a quarter of the group to appear on a televised broadcast.

"They said they'd pick five of the remaining 20 of us to be on Wheel of Fortune, and if we were selected that we'd receive our letters within 14 days," Griffin said. "Exactly 14 days later, I got my invitation in the mail."

Griffin and husband Oliver Gatchalian, who met as teammates on the NC State Track and Field team, flew to Los Angeles in early November to tape Friday's broadcast.  As with most television game shows, Wheel crams all of its monthly tapings into one week of filming, so the pacing was fast and furious.

"We had to get up around 4:30 in the morning to get ready because I had to be on the shuttle at 7 a.m.," Griffin said. "At 7, they take you to the studio and you go through legal proceedings basically until lunchtime.

"Then, they make sure the outfit you are planning to wear is compatible with their high-definition broadcast, and they actually have people come and airbrush your makeup on — which is one the coolest things I've ever experienced," she said with a laugh. "It's awesome, if you have the slightest blemish, they can make it go completely away — you look like you have fresh new baby skin all over again!"

While the contestants were preparing for their 15 minutes of fame, they had a chance to hob-knob with the most famous letter-turner in the world, longtime co-host Vanna White.

"Vanna actually came into our dressing rooms to meet us and wish us good luck," Griffin said. "She was very down-to-earth — she came in with no makeup on, with her hair wet and wearing a sweatshirt and jeans — and told us not to be intimidated by all of the flashing lights and hoopla."

Eagle-eyed Wheel fans may have already seen Griffin's "Hometown Howdies" promotional spot, broadcast throughout the week in advance of Friday's show. And as one would expect, the former NC State athlete's time on Wheel had a real Wolfpack vibe to it.

"They told me to pick my favorite sports team so of course, I picked the 'Pack and did my little wolf-hands as well," Griffin said. "During the taping, I had a chance to discuss microbiology and the university with Pat Sajak as well."

So, how did it all turn out? Well, that's where the hours of legal proceedings come to light - Griffin and all other contestants are obligated to take a vow of silence until the show has aired.

"You'll just have to watch," Griffin said. "I can tell you this though, it was such a fun experience and well worth it!"

Editor's Note: Nicole's story came to us through the Share Your Story link located on our home page. We know that NC State students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners are a talented bunch, and accomplishing amazing things on campus and around the world. We'd love to hear about it! Submit your story idea, photograph, or even a short video you've created, and we'll consider it for use on the NC State home page and in other places. Just click here to get started!

Related Links:

• Department of Microbiology
  
• NC State Women's Track and Field
  
• Wheel of Fortune Home Page

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