Wolfpack Dominate Night One of NC State Invitational

Photo Courtesy: James Koval

The North Carolina State Wolfpack opened up their home invitational at the Greensboro Aquatic Center Thursday night, and Braden Holloway’s squad impressed, winning the majority of individual events and relays. Olympic gold medalist Ryan Held led the way, posting swift times in the 50 free and on relays.

North Carolina’s women opened up the finals session with a win in the 200 free relay. Caroline Baldwin, Sarah Hitchens, Hellen Moffitt and Brooke Bauer posted a 1:28.19, taking down a pair of NC State squads. The “A” squad came in at 1:29.01, and the “B” team earned third place with a 1:30.47.

Ryan Held got the men’s racing started with a bang, leading off NC State’s men’s 200 free relay squad in 19.09, by far the top time in the country. Teammates Scott Johnson, Andreas Schiellerup and Joe Bonk combined to finish in 1:17.94. Notre Dame placed second in 1:18.70, and the Air Force Academy was just behind in third (1:19.01).

NC State’s Hannah Moore continued her hot start to the season, winning the women’s 500 free in 4:42.27, but she had to work for this one as Duke’s Verity Abel gave her a run. Abel did not have enough left to keep pace with Moore the last 100, but she picked up second in 4:43.56, a lifetime best by almost two seconds. UNC’s Catherine Hulsey came in third at 4:46.47. NC State’s Rachel Muller also posted a strong swim, clocking 4:43.06 to win the B-final.

The Wolfpack won a third consecutive event when Anton Ipsen took the 500 free in 4:13.40, which ranks first in the country so far. UNC’s Jordan Merrilees finished almost four-and-a-half seconds back in 4:17.86, just edging out Ipsen’s teammate Adam Linker (4:17.97).

Alexia Zevnik picked up another win for NC State as she led a quick top three finishers in the women’s 200 IM, touching in 1:56.82. Tennessee freshman Meghan Small placed second in 1:57.27, holding off Duke’s Leah Goldman, who touched in 1:57.33. Zevnik’s teammate Soeren Dahl then won the men’s 200 IM in 1:44.46, about a half-second ahead of Tennessee’s Sam McHugh (1:45.07). Duke’s Judd Howard picked up third place in 1:47.17.

Baldwin broke the Wolfpack winning streak when she swam a quick 21.98 to win the women’s 50 free for North Carolina. Baldwin finished just ahead of NC State’s Ky-Lee Perry (22.24) and Duke’s Maddie Rusch (22.33). Held returned for the individual 50 free, posting a 19.17 to swim just 0.08 slower than his relay leadoff split from earlier in the evening. Tennessee’s Kyle Decoursey touched out Duke’s Yusuke Legard for second, 19.73 to 19.74.

In diving, Duke’s Evan Moretti won with a score of 365.70, edging out the Tar Heel duo of Jack Nyquist (332.25) and Sean Burston (316.30). Tennessee’s Rachel Rubadoe scored 322.90 to win the women’s one-meter. UNC’s Elissa Dawson was second (313.85), and another Tar Heel, Maria Lohman (283.10) was third.

Zevnik, Kayla Brumbaum, Krista Duffield and Perry won the women’s 400 medley relay in dominant fashion, clocking 3:33.52. North Carolina touched second in 3:34.58, and NC State’s “B” team took third in 3:36.76.

Hennessey Stuart, Derek Hren, Dahl and Held rounded out the night with yet another NC State win in the 400 medley relay. Held anchored in 42.05 as the Wolfpack clocked 3:08.17. Duke finished second in 3:11.10, just ahead of Notre Dame (3:11.43).

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use