North Carolina State University Athletics
NC State Sweeps Georgia Tech Swimming & Diving
1/25/2003 12:00:00 AM | Swimming
Raleigh, N.C. -- NC State won decisively over ACC foe Georgia Tech in men's and women's swimming & diving action Saturday at the Willis Casey Natatorium. The Wo lfpack Women (6-6, 3-4) got back on track with a 176-88 win over the Yellow Jackets, taking top honors in 12 of the 16 events. The Pack Men (7-3, 3-2) also faired well, winning a total of 11 events in a 149-114 outcome.
Four of the Wolfpack's five senior women won races in Saturday's competition. Co-captain Katie Sheridan placed first in the 200-yard freestyle and fellow senior Annamaria Gazda outtouched her opponents in the 200 back f or her fifth win of the season in the event. The senior diving tandem of Erin Bailey and Amber O'Reilly split honors on the boards. Bailey scored 294.6 on th e 1-meter for the win, and O'Reilly put out her best performance of the year, sco ring a 310.425 on the 3-meter board. The Wolfpack's fifth senior, Caroline Curran, was not in action versus the Yellow Jackets.
"This is a great w ay for our seniors to go out,??? said NC State head coach Brooks Teal. "Things can sometimes get a bit emotional and that can really help one to compete at their highest level.???
Freshman Kendall Smith had an all-star performance in the pool, winning three races and swimming the quickest leg of the winning 200 medley relay. Smi th, who excels in the sprint freestyle, took first in the 50 free, 100 free and 100 backstroke, and anchored the relay team.
Catherine Parks also had a good day for the team, picking up wins in the 500 free and 200 fly. Other winners for the women were Lola Woodworth (100 breast) and Erin Trau (200 breast).
NC State's men opened the afternoon with a win in the 200 medley relay. Steven Cowling, Kevin Devine, Brian Pursley and Cullen Jon es posted the team's fastest time of the year with a winning time of 1:31.91. Jones' time of 20.23 in the last 50 ya rds propelled the foursome to the win. John Hud son took wins in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle races, and swam on the winning 200 free relay squad.
The Pack also got winning contributions from Kevin Barkle y (200 back), Steven Cowli ng (100 back), Scott Detloff (50 free) and Rob Y eager (200 breast).
The men divers had a good day as well. TJ Ferguson's 310.425 on the 1-meter board was good for a win, and makes him one of the ACC's top-three scorers on the season. Jared Bench scored a season-best of 325.425 gave him the easy win on the 3-meter board.
"This was a great win for the teams,??? said Teal. "We have been able to do some fine-tuning recently and have worked on some details. As the championship season approaches, we look to be in strong shape and make a solid finish in the league."
The Wolfpack will take to the road next weekend to face the Clemson Tigers. Action is scheduled for 12-noon at the Spartanburg Middle Tyger YMCA. The diving events will be held at the Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatic Center in Charlotte, NC at 4:30 p.m. The women will look to wrap up the season with another win, while the men await a rivalry meeting with UNC on February 7 before closing out the season and preparing for the ACC Championships.a
