North Carolina State University Athletics
Swimming and Diving Travels to Virginia Tech to Open Season
10/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Swimming
Oct. 14, 2004
Behind strong leadership from NC State's four captains, fifth year head coach Brooks Teal and a stable of experienced and energetic assistant coaches, Wolfpack swimming and diving will enter the pool for the 2004-05 season this Friday, Oct. 15 in Blacksburg, Va. NC State will take on conference foe Virginia Tech, as both the men's and women's team will compete. For the men, team captain's Chris Nixon and Rick Scott will push the Wolfpack swimmers into competition, while the women's trio of Lindsay Baskwell, Laura Cutler and Catherine Parks lead the way.
On the men's side, junior Cullen Jones returns after a tremendous season. Jones, a preseason 2004 All-American, is the returning ACC champion in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle, and he posted the top times during the season in the events.
Jack Deal returns for his senior year as the top-200 freestyle swimmer, while senior teammate Nixon posted the top Wolfpack times in the 400 IM and the 1650 freestyle. Pete Pessagno topped the team in the 500 and 100 freestyle events, while Rob Yeager's 11 wins on the season was third on the team. Yeager posted the top times on the season in the 100 and 200 breastroke and the 200 IM.
On the women's side, Rachel Bumgardner returns with the top 100 butterfly time and six top-5 finishes. Cutler posted the top 200 butterfly time for the Wolfpack, while junior diver Molly Culberson returns with 15 first place finishes, tops on the team, including the school record for the 1-meter board at 328.28. Jess Koenig posted the top 200 back time last season, while Lola Woodworth lead the team in the 100 and 200 breastroke events. As a freshman last season, Lindsay Barwegen lead the team in the 500, 1000 and 1650 freestyle events, with nine top-5 finishes on the season.
Sophomore Rebecca Perry turned in a fine freshman campaign by posting four times among the top-10 all-time in school history in the 50 free, 100 free, 200 free and 100 back. Her 50 free time of 23.35 was tied for third in school history, and was the only female sprinter to place in the top-10 besides Beth Emery, who swam at NC State from 1980-1983.
After Va. Tech, the Wolfpack women will return home to face Campbell and Gardner Webb at 6 pm on Oct. 28, while the men travel to the Tar Heel Invitational on Oct. 29.
