North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Men Swim Past Hokies to Remain Undefeated
10/28/2005 12:00:00 AM | Swimming
Oct. 28, 2005
RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State men's swimming and diving won 11 of the 13 events against the Hokies Friday night, Oct. 28 in Raleigh, N.C. on Wolfpack Swimming Alumni evening. The meet was a showcase for the speed and talent in the pool and on the diving boards, as past alumni and coaches, including legendary coach Don Easterling, looked on. The Wolfpack, 3-0 overall and 2-0 in the ACC, impressed as Cullen Jones bested his own facility record in the 50 freestyle en route to winning two events, and Steven Cowling, Andrew Lester and Austin Hampton each won a pair of events for the convincing 155-88 victory.
Jones sprinted to a 19.87 in the 50 freestyle, a NCAA `B' Cut, topping the facility mark he set in 2005 with a 19.96. Last year's mark hadn't made it on the wall of records inside the Casey Aquatic Center yet, and its likely head coach Brooks Teal would wait until Jones, a senior from New Jersey, graduates before adding it this year. Peter Ranstead posted the second fastest time in the pool Friday night, and the Wolfpack sprinter turned in a 20.89, fourth fastest in the conference. Jones also captured the 100 freestyle in a time of 45.16, with teammate John Hudson close behind in second place with a 46.64, the third fastest mark for the Wolfpack this season.
Steven Cowling won two more events on the evening and has won all four individual swims this season, a team best. He posted a 1:53.63 in the 200 IM, the sixth fastest time in the ACC for his first win of the night before winning the 200 backstroke for the second time this season. Cowling's 1:51.70 ranks fourth in the conference in the event. Cowling swam the leadoff leg of the 400 freestyle relay as well, posting a 45.96, fourth in the ACC.
Two freshmen continue to impress, as Andrew Lester won his second and third events on the year, taking the 500 freestyle and the 1000 freestyle. Classmate Austin Hampton, who has already qualified for NCAA Diving Zones, won the 1-meter and 3-meter competitions. Lester posted a 9:33.95, winning by close to seven seconds, in the 1000 free before taking the 500 free in a time of 4:33.46, the fourth fastest swim in the conference this season.
Hampton has been a standout on the boards through three meets, as he posted a 330.97 in the 3-meter, the second best mark in the ACC. His 1-meter score of 299.88 was good enough to win the competition against the Hokies, and Hampton leads the ACC with a 318.22 on the season.
Kevin Velleca posted the fastest time in the 100 backstroke in the conference, swimming a 50.01 in the leadoff leg of the 400 medley relay. He finished third in the 50 freestyle, as Jones, Ranstead and Velleca (21.24) completed the 1-2-3 sweep of the event.
Dan Velez won the 200 breaststroke against the Hokies, and it ranks sixth in the ACC thus far at 3:06.71.
An impressive swim was also posted by freshman Stephen Mellor. Mellor posted a 1:46.07 in a time trial after the meet was over, a time that set a school and pool record for NC State, and would rank as the top time in the conference.
NC State returns to the pool next Saturday in Atlanta, Ga. to take on the Yellow Jackets as the Wolfpack will look to remain undefeated.
