North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State Men Top UNC In Swimming
2/4/2000 12:00:00 AM | Swimming
Chapel Hill, N.C. (Feb. 4) - The NC State men's swimming and diving team (13-1, 5-1) defeated the No. 20 North Carolina Tar Heels (6-4, 3-2), 123.5-119.5 at the Koury Natatorium.
With the victory, which was the 501st in the history of the program, the Wolfpack snapped its seven meet loosing streak against the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill. It also marks the first time that NC State has defeated North Carolina in Koury Natatorium, which was opened in 1986. The last NC State victory in Chapel Hill prior to Friday was a 63-50 Wolfpack victory in 1984 at North Carolina's Bowman Gray Pool.
Friday's meet came down to the final event, the 400 freestyle relay, when the team of Jarod Proto, Valter Magnusson, Matt Brado and Tim Haley won in a time of 3:04.55. Heading into that really, the Pack was trailing by a point, 112.5-113.5, meaning that the winning relay squad would clinch the team victory.
Outstanding performances for the Wolfpack included Matt Brado and Andy Johnson, who each took home two individual victories. Brado captured first place in the 200 freestyle (1:40.12) and the 100 freestyle (45.58) while Johnson had the top scores on both the one-meter (340.27) and three-meter (332.55) diving boards. Other first place finishes for the Pack came from Gregg Solt and Tim Haley. Solt swam a 20.82 in the 50 freestyle while Haley captured first in the 200 butterfly in a time of 1:50.18.
NC State's head coach Scott Hammond was ecstatic with the victory. "It's been a while since we've come in here and won," said Hammond. "I knew that it was going to be a close meet. I had faith that our guys could stay mentally tough and focused. This is the second time we've knocked off a ranked opponent (NC State beat then No. 19 Florida State, 152-48 on October 16) and we also swam real well when we won the Nebraska Invitational. This team is starting to really come together now."
Tomorrow, the Wolfpack will host Clemson starting at 2:00 pm in the Willis Casey Aquatics Center. This will mark the last regular season meet of the season for NC State. The Clemson meet is also part of the "Parents Weekend" festivities for the swimming program. An NC State win over the Tigers will clinch its 23 ACC regular season championship, a conference high.
EVENT WINNERS: 400 Med. Relay: NC State (3:23.09); 1,650 Free: Stephen Mohr-UNC (15:36.72); 200 Free: Matt Brado-NC State (1:40.12); 50 Free: Greg Solt-NC State (20.82); 200 IM: Chris Helin-UNC (1:52.56); 1-M: Diving Andy Johnson-NC State (340.27); 200 Fly: Tim Haley-NC State (1:50.18); 100 Free: Matt Brado-NC State (45.58); 200 Back: Chris Helin-UNC (1:49.89); 500 Free: Brad Kline-UNC (4:32.83); 3-M Diving: Andy Johnson-NC State (332.55) ;200 Breast : Chris Helin-UNC (2:03.15);400 Free Relay: NC State (3:04.55)
