Ross Dant Leads NC State Men’s Distance Sweep in Win Over Virginia

NC State's Ross Dant -- Photo Courtesy: NCAA Media

Ross Dant Leads NC State Men’s Distance Sweep in Win Over Virginia

The North Carolina State men have flown slightly under-the-radar this season compared to star-studded rosters at Texas, Cal and Florida, but the Wolfpack look ready to roll during championship season after a dominant performance against Virginia Saturday afternoon in Charlottesville. A trio of swimmers won two individual events each, while the standout performer was distance star Ross Dant, who led 1-2-3-4 finishes for NC State in both the 1000 and 500 freestyle.

While Virginia’s women won 173-122 over NC State, the Wolfpack men cruised to a 191-104 triumph.

Dant placed third in both the 400 free and 800 free at this summer’s Olympic Trials, finishing just 0.13 and then 0.72 out of second place. Against the Cavaliers, the NC State junior won the 1000 free in 8:58.20, while teammates Will Gallant, James Plage and Curtis Wiltsey claimed the rest of the top-four spots. Later on, Dant won the 500 in 4:20.77, with Plage, Wiltsey and Gallant again leading a sweep.

Luke Miller and Sam Hoover finished 1-2 in both the 200 free and 100 free. The duo swam times of 1:34.39 and 1:35.40, respectively, in the 200-yard race, while Miller touched out Hoover 42.93 to 42.98 in the 100. Additionally, Mikey Moore edged out Virginia’s Justin Grender to win the 200 back, 1:43.64 to 1:44.01, and Moore later won the 200 IM in 1:46.67.

NC State began the meet with the impressive quartet of Kacper Stokowski (21.24), Rafal Kusto (23.96), Nyls Korstanje (19.97) and David Curtiss (18.97) winning the 200 medley relay in 1:24.14. Later on, Stokowski won the 100 back in 46.15, and Korstanje won the 46.02, while Curtiss won arguably the race of the day when he won the 50 free in 19.38, just ahead of Virginia’s Matt Brownstead (19.50), UVA’s Matt King (19.61) and Korstanje (19.75).

Noah Henderson and Noah Bowers took 1-2 in the 200 fly for the Wolfpack, and NC State’s Bayne Bennett swept 1-meter and 3-meter diving. Meanwhile, the only individual winner for UVA was Noah Nichols, who won the 100 breast (53.26) and 200 breast (1:56.68). Virginia also earned a victory in the 200 free relay at the end of the meet behind Brownstead, King, Grender and August Lamb, who came from behind to edge out NC State, 1:17.83 to 1:17.97.

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