The NC State swimming and diving team picked up another two wins this weekend against Florida State with its first home meet of the season. The women’s team improved to 3-0 as it defeated the Seminoles 200-99, while the men earned 197 points over FSU’s 103, starting off its dual season 1-0.
“All in all it was a good team effort,” head coach Braden Holloway said. “I thought across the board we had a good performance. Certain areas needed some improvement, and we got that improvement. I wanted to see our relays take it up a notch, and I feel like we did that.”
The women’s team returned from its tri-meet in California last weekend with two victories against Hawaii and Southern Cal. The women continue to pick up steam with this victory against FSU.
“I think that a win against Florida State has definitely put the team in a good spot for the rest of the season,” senior Ashlyn Koletic said. “It’s a good confidence booster, and our women did awesome.”
The relays continue to prove a strong point for the Wolfpack. The women earned first and second place finishes in the 200 medley relay.
Koletic, junior Kayla Brumbaum, sophomore Krista Duffield and senior Riki Bonnema finished first with a time of 1:39.13, while other NC State teammates finished close behind in second. The squad comprised freshman Lindsay Morrow, senior Payton Schrum, freshman Courtney Caldwell and junior Lotta Nevalainen.
The men’s team of junior Scott Johnson, senior Jason Deana, freshman Jabari Baptiste and freshman Justine Moore took home first in the 200 freestyle relay with a time of 1:24.11.
The Wolfpack continued to dominate throughout the meet on both sides.
The women swept the 200 freestyle while the men took first and second in the event. Junior Rachel Muller took first place with a time of 1:49.34, while teammates junior Alexia Zevnik and freshman Christine Kerr took second and third respectively.
Junior Soren Dahl and freshman Justin Ress also took home first and second for the Wolfpack in the 200 freestyle. Dahl touched the wall at 1:37.21, earning an NCAA ‘B’ time, while Ress finished at 1:39.34.
The Pack found success in the pool, but also on the springboards as well.
“I think one of the big things was that our divers were better this meet, especially on the female side,” Holloway said. “Gabby had one of the best meets of her life and Rachel Mumma bounced back from last week and had one of the best performances she’s ever had on the 3-meter, which normally isn’t her best board. So that was a good start for them at home.”
Redshirt Rachel Mumma earned a six-dive score of 343.35 in the 3-meter competition and completed her women’s diving event sweep with a score of 305.85 in the 1-meter dive.
The Wolfpack will use its successful home meet victory for momentum as the men’s team prepares to head west in its matchup against UC-Berkeley and Stanford Nov. 6 and 7.
