North Carolina State University Athletics
Men's Swimming And Diving Ready To Rekindle The Tradition
10/3/2002 12:00:00 AM | Swimming
Oct. 3, 2002
The tradition of the NC State swimming and diving program goes back many years, to the days of Willis Casey and Don Easterling. Two of the most distinguished names in the Wolfpack tradition, Casey and Easterling also rank among the elite in the history of the Atlantic Coast Conference. With 26 team titles and 338 individual and relay champions, NC State has become a prime venue for swimming and diving in the conference. This year, that tradition continues. NC State is a sleeper that threatens to finish at the top of the conference under the direction of third-year coach Brooks Teal, and assistants Chad Onken and Alexis Keto. "Our team is ready to emerge to the top of the standings in the ACC and ready to accept challenges we face to get there," says Teal. "We are a young team, but with that youth comes enthusiasm. Our athletes worked hard over the summer and have stepped up in the weight room and are ready to step it up in the pool as well."
Sprint Freestyle
 Sophomore Kevin Devine will be a scoring threat at the ACC Championships this spring in the sprint freestyle events.  |
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Middle-Distance Freestyle
NC State is confident in its middle-distance freestylers. With sophomores Jack Deal, Ben Humphrey, Chris Nixon and Peter Pessagno, along with junior Jorge Gutierrez back from a year ago, the Wolfpack sports one of the best groups of swimmers in the conference.
"This is a group that is going to be called upon to score very valuable points in dual meets and at the ACC Championships," says Teal.
Deal posted the team's top times in the 500, 1000 and 1650 races last season. As one of the premier young athletes in the ACC, he is a key piece in putting together a winning season. Last year, Deal posted three top-15 finishes at the ACC Championships and is expected to improve on those this year.
Newcomer John Hudson has the potential to challenge Deal in the 200-free. A four-year letter winner from Wake Forest-Rolesville, Hudson could turn heads during the championship season.
Nixon and Pessagno both had top-20 performances at the championships last year and have matured with the experience of competition in the ACC. Gutierrez and Humphrey are consistent performers and are also ready for the challenge.
Distance Freestyle
Deal will be joined by team co-captain Dan Kesler, a junior, to lead the distance events. An Olymipc Trial qualifier, Kesler brings great stamina and valuable leadership to the pool. Nixon and Pessagno will also be key contributors throughout the season.
"We have a great young core of distance freestylers," says Teal. "I would say one of the best in the conference. We are really expecting good things to come of Dan and Jack, and think the others will follow their lead."
Nixon returns as a scorer in the 1650 for the Wolfpack, while Pessago barely missed the mark at last season's ACC Championships. Both had incredible summer workouts and will be in fine condition when the season opens.
 Co-captain Dan Kesler is ready to lead the distance freestylers to the top of the leage in 2003. |
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Backstroke
The Wolfpack has a committee of swimmers who could be called upon throughout the season to step up in the backstroke.
"We have a talented group of returnees, and expect to get contributions from newcomer Andy Bauman," says Teal.
Bauman is a jewel in the 2002 recruiting class who comes from Roanoke, Va., with two Virginia state championships in backstroke events. Bauman qualified in seven individual events for the Junior Nationals.
Kevin Barkley holds last year's fastest times in the 100 and 200 events, and finished in the top 20 in both events at the ACC Championships last season as a freshman.
"His work ethic is contagious," says Teal. "He has really committed himself to being a vital leader to this team this year, and we are expecting him to have a breakout season."
Devine was also an important member of the backstroke group and finished in scoring position at the championships.
"We are also looking for Steve Cowling to play a valuable role," continues Teal. "He has the ability to emerge as one of the conference's top backstrokers. Rob Terrell, a freshman, is a real sleeper and also has the potential to sneak up and pose a threat in the conference this year."
Breaststroke
The team will get a great boost this season in the breaststroke with the addition of transfer Brian Pursley. A junior, Pursley was an NCAA Division II champion in the 100 breast last year while at the Colorado School of Mines, and also placed third in the 200.
"Pursley is a tremendous addition to the group," says Teal. "Teamed with Rob Yeager, we expected to have a phenomenal one-two punch in the breaststroke."
Yeager, now a sophomore, was a 2001 ACC finalist and was the NC State's top finisher in the breaststroke. With his fastest time of the season coming at the championships, the coaching staff expects that Yeager will come into the season where he left off last year, and will finish the season with an All-ACC performance.
Rick Scott is also expected to step up this season. A state champion in the 100 breast, Scott comes to the team from C.E. Jordan out of Durham. The junior national qualifier will be a strong scoring threat in dual meets this year.
Butterfly
Kevin Devine emerged as one of the league's top young flyers last season and had a great final swim at the championships to place seventh overall in the 100.
Devine will be joined this season by freshman Scott Detloff. While competing at Enloe High School in Raleigh, Detloff captured multiple state championships throughout his career and will be depended upon to bring his winning attitude to the Wolfpack.
"Kevin and Scott will both benefit from having each other to train with," says Teal. "The two should be among the top five butterflyers in the conference this year"
After a strong summer of training, Justin Smith will also play a role. Smith had a strong performance at senior nationals this summer.
"Justin is hoping to build his sophomore year around the tremendous summer he had," says Teal. "His experience at Nationals really opened his eyes and now he is hungry for competition and is ready to challenge the conference."
 Jack Deal, one of the league's premier young swimmers, will contribute in the freestyle, backstroke and individual medley events this season. |
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Relays
"This team is much more talented as a whole than the group we had last year," says Onken. "We have great depth at most strokes, which we hope is going to create healthy competition in each of the relay events."
Many top swimmers will compete for positions on the relay teams. The Wolfpack has a strong group of sprinters who will challenge for spots in the 200 and 400 free relays. Names like Cowling, Detloff, Devine and Pursley are expected to come in and make an impact on several of the relay events.
Diving
The Wolfpack returns ACC finalist Jared Bench to the boards this year and adds highly touted freshman T.J. Ferguson. Ferguson was the runner-up in the Connecticut state championships last season. He is expected to contribute immediately.
Sophomore Steve House is looking to improve on two top-15 finishes in last year's championships.
"These gentlemen are extremely gifted and have a a great deal of potential that I look forward to developing," says diving coach John Candler. "Combined with the freshman recruiting class, we are very strong and are looking forward to a successful year."
