To say that expectations were high for the NC State swimming and diving team coming into the 2016-17 season would be an understatement. To say that those expectations were met would be an even bigger one.
In what will go down as the greatest season in program history, the Wolfpack reached new heights, as both the men’s and women’s teams had their best-ever finish at the NCAA Championships. Also, for the first time since 1980, both Pack squads captured an ACC title.
School records were also shattered by this year’s group, who set new all-time highs in 18 of the 26 recorded individual swimming events. In the relays, the 2016-17 team reigns even more supreme, now holding the school record in eight of the 10 relays.
The men’s team duplicated its previous season, capturing its third-straight ACC title and second-straight fourth place finish at NCAAs. Along with the end-of-season success, the men spent the entirety of the season ranked in the top 10, with a large chunk of that time being No. 1.
Backed by a trio of Olympians in senior Soren Dahl, junior Anton Ipsen and junior Ryan Held, along with an incredible season from junior Andreas Vazaios, the men’s team went 6-0 (2-0 ACC) in head-to-head meets this season. This was highlighted by a 173.5-126.5 thrashing of eventual national champions University of Texas-Austin.
It was at the end of the season where the Wolfpack really shined, dominating the ACC Championships and winning by 163.5 points. Held led the way for State, as he had a flawless performance that featured seven gold medals in all seven of his events, including three individual golds.
Held wasn’t the only star for State, as Vazaios and Dahl also excelled at the ACC Championships. Vazaios captured five medals, including two individual golds. Dahl took home six medals, four of which were gold.
At the NCAA Championships, the Wolfpack put together a complete performance to finish fourth, but couldn’t keep pace with a Texas team that captured its third-straight national title. The highlight for the Pack was a gold medal in the 800-yard freestyle relay, as Held, Dahl, Vazaios and sophomore Justin Ress set an NCAA title to take first place.
Held was again the top performer for State at NCAAs, taking home three medals, which included two individual medals in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events. Vazaios and Ipsen both participated in multiple individual finals.
The other bright spot for the men at the NCAA Championships was the presence of freshman diver James Brady. Brady qualified for NCAAs in platform diving, becoming the first Wolfpack diver to compete in the national meet since 1996. He finished 34th.
For the women, the 2016-17 season was undoubtedly the greatest ever for the program. Capturing just its third-ever ACC title while putting together its best ever NCAA finish, the Pack set records to put together an incredible year.
The women finished the season 4-1 (3-0 ACC) in head-to-head meets, with the only loss coming at Texas. The top performers for the Pack over the course of the season were senior Alexia Zevnik, junior Hannah Moore and freshman Ky-Lee Perry.
At the ACC Championships, the women put together an incredible performance to take the title. Zevnik led the way for the Pack, winning five gold medals, including three individual golds throughout the week. Perry and sophomore Courtney Caldwell also shined, with Perry taking home four gold medals and Caldwell three.
The greatest asset for State at the ACC Championships was its relay performance, as the Pack won four gold medals and one silver. The relay teams were fronted by Caldwell, Perry, Zevnik and Moore, as well as seniors Rachel Muller and Natalie Labonge.
The NCAA Championships saw the Pack put together its best finish ever, while qualifying for four event finals and capturing one medal. Zevnik took home a silver medal in the 200-yard backstroke, and her time of 1:49.09 was the sixth-fastest in NCAA history.
Zevnik also competed in the final of the 400-yard freestyle relay along with Perry, Caldwell and senior Lotta Nevalainen. The group qualified for the event final. Moore and senior Kayla Brumbaum also had individual finals appearances, in the 1,650-yard freestyle and 200-yard breaststroke, respectively.
The season was a historic one for the Pack, and one that won’t soon be forgotten. However, this looks to be just the beginning for State, as many of the top swimmers in the program will be back again next year.
