Summertime makes everyone feel more laid back. A school’s-out mentality dials up the fun as the days get longer and the nights warmer. We capitalized on those sentiments when we searched for smart, funny and charismatic fellows to spotlight here.
The Triangle has been highlighted in multiple studies as a top city for dating, including being named the No. 1 “City for Singles” by Rachael Ray of Food Network fame. Let us introduce you to seven of them.
Brian Ackley, 26
Forward, Carolina RailHawks
Can’t live without: Music every day, especially before games
Biggest accomplishment: Being here in this moment right now
Guilty pleasure: Late dinners, red wine
When I’m not working, I am: Coaching youth and adults
A great night out includes: Surrounding myself with friends, laughter and good conversation
On the bucket list: Visiting the Grand Canyon
Secret talent: I can talk like Donald Duck
What I look for in a significant other: Beautiful eyes, a good heart and a good laugh
Celebrity crush: Singer Rihanna
DVR embarrassment: Keeping up with the Kardashians
Looking forward to: Tomorrow
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If I could have a super power: I would fly
What I’m reading: ESPN.com
Dating deal breaker: Being bossy
Favorite movie: Super Troopers, anything with Will Ferrell
Biggest influence: My father, he keeps me grounded.
Justin Faulk, 21
Defenseman, Carolina Hurricanes
Biggest accomplishment: Playing in the NHL
Guilty pleasure: Sour Patch Kids
When I’m not working, I am: Hanging out with friends by the pool or on the lake
A great night out includes: Dinner and drinks late into the night
Secret talent: Phone games, like Ruzzle (he’s the team champion) and Words with Friends
What I look for in a significant other: Someone who likes to have fun, who is outgoing and laid back
Celebrity crush: Supermodel Candice Swanepoel
If I could have a super power: I would fly
What I’m reading: Nonfiction war history books and USA Today
DVR embarrassment: Jersey Shore
Looking forward to: WE Fest Country Music Festival (this August, in his home state of Minnesota)
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Can’t live without: Listening to music, everything from country to techno
Dating deal breaker: Someone who talks too much or is controlling
Favorite movie: 21 Jump Street
Biggest influence: My mother
Follow Justin on Twitter: @JustinFaulk27
David Galatas, 41
General Dentist, FamilyDentistryNC.com
I can’t live without: Music.
Biggest accomplishment: Honorable discharge, Captain, United States Air Force.
When I’m not working, I am: Thinking about or working on a song. (He plays and writes music for the guitar.)
A great night out includes: Going to dinner with friends, seeing a great live band play then hanging out at the after show.
On the bucket list: Attend the Cannes Film Festival.
What I look for in a significant other: Someone who is secure, honest, knows when to talk and when to listen and would choose laughing over arguing.
If I could have a super power: Eradicate evil in this world.
What I’m reading: The Paleo Diet by Loren Cordian
DVR embarrassment: Forensic Files.
Favorite movie: A Perfect Murder (based on Alfred Hitchcock's Dial M for Murder).
Looking forward to: Living during a time when we have a cure for all types of cancer.
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Guilty pleasure: 1.5 hour deep tissue massage.
Secret talent: I can leap small children in a single bound!
Dating deal breaker: Someone who cuts others off mid-sentence and spends more time talking about themselves.
Celebrity crush: Actress Jennifer Anniston
Heroes/biggest influence: My dad.
Austin da Luz, 25
Left Midfield, Carolina RailHawks
Can’t live without: I'd have a pretty tough time without my computer
Biggest accomplishment: Being one of Cary's most eligible bachelors
When I’m not working, I am: Walking my dog or taking him to the dog park
On the bucket list: Get verified on Twitter. I feel like that's a pretty good barometer for success these days.
What I look for in a significant other: If you can banter with the guys, you're off to a good start.
Dating deal breaker: Being rude to the waiter
Secret talent: I'm a lethal snowball fighter.
If I could have a super power: Invisibility
What I’m reading: Everything Is Perfect When You're a Liar by Kelly Oxford
DVR embarrassment: I watched the whole first season of Scandal on Netflix in one night. In retrospect I probably could have spread it out a little more.
Favorite movie: Impossible question. My favorite I've seen recently is probably Wreck-It Ralph.
Looking forward to: The weekend
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Guilty pleasure: I don't know, I think it's kind of weird to feel guilty about liking something. Taylor Swift maybe? I mean, that's just good music.
A great night out includes: Good food, good people, and a lot of drinks
Celebrity crush: Actress Anna Kendrick
Biggest influence: My parents
Josh Phillips, 21
Musician
I can’t live without: My guitar
Biggest accomplishment: Every time we play at a bar and it’s packed, that’s big.
When I’m not working, I am: Fishing
A great night out includes: A bonfire and hanging out on the tailgate of a truck
What I look for in a significant other: Someone who is confident and knows who they are. Someone who believes the same things that I believe in.
Celebrity crush: Actress Megan Fox
If I could have a super power: I would teleport, ’cause I have no patience.
What I’m reading: Lyrics from all types of music. It makes me a better writer.
Playlist embarrassment: “Wanted” by Hunter Hayes
Biggest influence: My parents, and on my music Lynrd Skynrd and Johnny Cash
Looking forward to: Playing at Farm Fest (country music festival in Selma, N.C.) with Craig Morgan, Tyler Farr and Brian Davis Live
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Guilty pleasure: Nicotine
On the bucket list: Skydiving
Secret talent: I can juggle
Dating deal breaker: Insecurity
Favorite movies: 300 and Pure Country
Jiri Tlusty, 25
Left Wing, Carolina Hurricanes
Can’t live without: Food, especially Czech food, and hockey
Biggest accomplishments: Playing for the NHL and Czech National Team
Guilty pleasure: Sweets: chocolate bars, cookies, ice cream, do you want me to list them all?
On the bucket list: Travel more — Australia, Africa, India
Secret talent: Skee ball
What I look for in a significant other: Smart, sweet, loving person who makes me smile
Celebrity crush: Supermodel Petra Nemcova
If I could have a super power: I’d be the strongest guy and save everyone, like Superman
What I’m reading: news from home (Czech Republic) and here
Favorite movies: Braveheart and comedies like The Hangover
Looking forward to: Ice Hockey World Championships with the Czech National Team
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When I’m not working, I am: lying on the couch, during the season; off season I play all kinds of summer sports
A great night out includes: Having fun with friends; dinner, drinks and a movie
Dating deal breaker: Telling bad jokes
Biggest influence: My parents and Jaromir Jagr (hockey all-star from the Czech Republic)
DVR embarrassment: Jersey Shore, Friends reruns
Follow Jiri on twitter: @J_T_19
Jeff Winkler, 28
Private Banker
I can’t live without: Coffee, golf and Indiana basketball
Biggest accomplishment: Completing a 10K mud run
Guilty pleasure: Bloomin’ Onion from Outback. I hate myself after, but it’s so good!
When I’m not working, I am: Coaching AAU basketball — sixth-grade boys
A great night out includes: Country concerts or sporting events
What I look for in a significant other: The top three qualities are confident, funny and positive. Funny being the most important.
Dating deal breaker: Texting or emailing during conversations
Celebrity crush: Actress Mila Kunis
If I could have a super power: Fly — who doesn’t want to fly?
What I’m reading: Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy
DVR embarrassment: The Bachelor
Biggest influence: My dad
Looking forward to: A surfing trip to Costa Rica with my college buddies
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On the bucket list: Skydiving
Secret talent: I can make everybody laugh. And I can juggle.
Childhood celebrity crush: Jasmine from Disney’s Aladdin
Playlist embarrassment: Michael Bublé
Favorite movie: Wedding Crashers
