It’s official: NC State men’s swimming and diving has built a dynasty after securing its third consecutive ACC title. The three-peat is only the latest of many great achievements for the program, which now has nine of the last ten and 33 total ACC championships.
On the women’s side, the Pack didn’t fare quite as well, finishing third in the conference. Defending national champion Virginia and Louisville both topped the red-and-white’s 1,106 points.
Men’s championships
The Wolfpack left no doubt in the men’s championships, posting a team score of 1499.5 — well ahead of the runners-up, Notre Dame, who finished with 1038.5 points.
NC State opened the five-day competition by breaking the American men’s 200 medley relay record. The four-person relay consisted of junior Aiden Hayes, junior Sam Hoover, senior Luke Miller and redshirt freshman Quintin McCarty. The group finished in a mere 1:21.86, earning a gold medal for the Wolfpack.
The red-and-white wasn’t done breaking records. On day two of the competition Miller and McCarty teamed up with sophomore Drew Salls and fifth year Noah Henderson to break the American record in the men’s 200 freestyle relay in 1:14.44.
Day three was highlighted by an individual ACC title for sophomore Kyle Ponsler in the men’s 400 IM. In a career-best finish, Ponsler posted a time of 3:41.18. Just behind Ponsler was senior Owen Lloyd who finished in third place two seconds later.
The good times kept rolling into day four as the Wolfpack secured the gold and silver medals for the men’s 200-yard butterfly. Graduate Noah Bowers led the field with a career-best 1:39.65, while Hayes, the defending national champion, placed second. Meanwhile, in the 100 backstroke, fifth year Kacper Stokowski won his fourth consecutive ACC title.
Day five wrapped up with another dominant day. Fifth year Ross Dant finished in 14:39.34 to claim first place in the men’s mile — the third-straight year NC State has won the event. All of the Pack men finished with eight first-place finishes and 23 medals.
Women’s championships
The Wolfpack women’s squad enjoyed its share of success early, placing second in the 200 medley relay. The Pack also earned a medal for its third-place finish in the women’s 800 freestyle relay.
On day two, sophomore Grace Monahan shined with a first-place finish in the 500 freestyle, heat B. In heat C, freshman Keelan Cotter took first in the same event. The red-and-white also earned third place in the 200 freestyle relay in a group featuring graduate Katharine Berkoff, senior Abby Arens, sophomore Meghan Donald and freshman Miriam Sheehan to wrap up day two.
Junior Grace Sheble showed out with a silver medal in the 400 IM, finishing in 4:09.51 in heat A. Arens also picked up a medal for her 50.72 time in the 100-fly.
Berkoff made history on day four as the only swimmer to win the same ACC title for five consecutive seasons. With a personal best of 48.70, Berkoff cruised to the title in the 100 backstroke — the second-best time ever in the event.
On the diving board, freshman Bayleigh Cranford won the gold medal in the women’s diving competition.
Next up, the Wolfpack will compete March 2-3 in Athens, Georgia at the Georgia Last Chance as the team gears up for the final stretch of the season.
