Nike Cup

CHAPEL HILL North Carolina, November 20. THE University of North Carolina men's and women's swimming teams posted decisive victories in the 2010 Janis Hope Dowd Nike Cup Saturday night at Koury Natatorium. The Tar Heel women logged 1,569.50 points over the three-day event, dominating the remainder of a field led by 2nd-place Duke with 503 points. Likewise, the UNC men took top honors with their 1,440 point performance, edging out 2nd-place Navy (710.50 points) and the rest of the eight remaining teams.

"We've never swum this fast in the fall as a team across the board," said North Carolina head coach Rich DeSelm, "There's a lot of reasons why I think our program is advancing—the commitment to one another by members of the team, the longevity of our staff working together and understanding our goals, and the relationships we have between our staff and our swimmers and divers."

In the opening 1650 free, the Carolina women took four of the top five slots, including a 2nd-place 16:13.41 time from senior Ashley Miller good for 3rd all-time on the UNC record list. Senior Katura Harvey (16:15.12), sophomore Jackie Rudolph (16:39.75), and junior Katelyn Martin (16:44.01) finished soon after, placing 3rd, 4th, and 5th, respectively.

On the men's side, it was senior Joe Kinderwater who stole the show with his 14:52.93 1st-place time, obliterating, by twelve seconds, a 1992 Nike Cup record held by Tennessee swimmer Lars Jorgenson. Senior Tyler Harris (15:11.03) and freshman Danie O'Connor (15:27.80) joined Kinderwater on a Tar Heel dominated podium. Junior Sean Lane (15:30.22) also swam well for Carolina, finishing 5th, just 0.25 seconds away from a Tar Heel first through fourth place sweep.

"Joe [Kinderwater] is an exciting swimmer to both coach and watch swim," said DeSelm, "The way he goes about his life and what he brings to our team is very special and very impactful. He's the kind of person who can impact our team for years to come."

Rolling on to the 200 backstroke, the UNC women continued to excel, placing five in the top seven slots, including a top three sweep from junior Candace Cooper (1:56.56), sophomore Carly Smith (1:57.11), and junior Marie Pesacreta (1:59.73). Sophomore Rebecca Brooks (1:59.93) and junior Sarah Tanner (2:01.63) also fared well for the Tar Heels, finishing 6th and 7th, respectively.

In men's backstroke action, junior Jim Flannery spearheaded the Carolina effort, notching a 1:48.55 performance good for 4thoverall. Seniors Andy Brake and Josh Hafkin also joined Flannery in the championship finals with Brake's 1:51.61 time placing 7th and Hafkin's 1:52.11 time finishing 8th.

After finishing completely off the podium in the previous event, UNC returned to the dominance they've displayed throughout the Nike Cup with the women's 100 free. Six Carolina swimmers cracked the top eight, led by a 1st-place finish from senior Rebecca Kane (49.24) and a 3rd-place result from sophomore Katie Nolan (50.84). The Tar Heels then swept places five through eight, with freshman Danielle Jansen in 5th (51.10), freshman Emily Kelly in 6th (51.25), sophomore Stephanie Eisenring in 7th (51.80), and Harvey in 8th (51.99).

As for the men, junior Steve Cebertowicz placed 1st (43.80), followed closely by junior teammate Evan Reed in 2nd (44.60). Junior Brad Hamilton rounded out the Carolina 100 free contingent with a 45.46 time good for 5th overall.

In the 200 breast, freshman Amanda Rutqvist took home top honors, including a new Nike Cup record with her 2:10.35 performance, eclipsing the record that UNC junior Layne Brodie established earlier today. Brodie, however, finished 2nd (2:11.25), while junior captain Laura Moriarty placed 5th (2:15.12) and junior Katie Keel placed 8th(2:19.80).

The Carolina men also reeled off a fine showing in the 200 breast, led by junior Colin Bridier (1:58.93) and senior Vinny Pryor (1:59.30), who finished 3rd and 4th, respectively. Senior Flynn Jones also scored well for the Tar Heels, as his 2:01.99 time earned him 6th-place honors.

Moving to the 200 fly, UNC saw four swimmers place in the top eight, including junior Nuffy Swanson in 4th (2:01.78) and Smith in 5th (2:03.36). Freshman Stephanie Peacock and junior Laura Ruscoe also broke the top eight, with Peacock's 2:03.53 time good for 7th and Ruscoe's 2:04.05 time good for 8th.

In men's competition, Carolina returned to its 1st-place ways behind a 1:45.10 performance from sophomore Tom Luchsinger. Junior Victor LeClere (1:49.11) and seniors Robert Grimmett-Norris (1:50.44) and Vinny Pryor (1:50.67) were also close in pursuit, placing 4th, 7th, and 8th, respectively.

Meanwhile, in the deep end, Carolina divers continued to excel, placing three divers in the top five of the women's platform diving finals. Junior captain Jenna Moore led all Tar Heels, placing 3rd (228.65), shattering her previous career platform best by 14 points. JuniorKristin Arnold (158.25) and sophomore Michelle Mudge (146.90) also dove well, placing 7th and 8th, respectively, on the UNC Top 10 All-Time list.

On the men's side, five Tar Heels nabbed spots in the top seven, including sophomore Jake Kinzbach, whose 3rd-place, 287.90 point effort secured him 3rd-place honors in Carolina platform diving history. Fellow sophomore Ryland Jones finished right behind Kinzbach in 4th (284.70), while junior David MacDonald (227.70) and freshmenBryant Wooten (215.70) and Anthony Beard (191.30) rounded out the UNC contingent.

As the Nike Cup reached its final set of events, the Carolina women ended in fine form, sweeping the top two spots in the women's 400 free relay. Kane, Nolan, Kelly, and Harvey took home 1st-place, edging out 2nd-place teammates Brodie, Jansen, Eisenring, and Peacock by just 0.17 seconds. The Carolina C relay of Tanner, Smith, Cooper, and junior Sarah List also grabbed significant points with their 9th-place finish.

The men too swam to victory, courtesy of a 2:57.43 1st-place finish from Cebertowicz, Reed, junior Brock Park, and Hamilton. Senior David Zolno, junior Wil Singley, and freshmen J.T. Stilley and Patrick Ceddia also swam well together, taking 7th-place (3:03.63).

"I was thrilled with our team's performances," DeSelm said. "I've always said though that the phase between now and early January is the time you can break your season and open, do fabulous things, and set yourself up forFebruary and March. But if you're not careful, you can throw your season away, so I'm hoping we make the good choices and keep working hard."

The Tar Heels will be back in action December 2nd in Columbus, Ohio for the USA Swimming Short Course National Championships.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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