North Carolina State University Athletics
Cullen Jones Named to USA Swimming National Team
10/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | Swimming
Oct. 3, 2005
Raleigh, N.C. - Cullen Jones is riding the Shanghai Express of swimming straight to the 2006 FINA Short Course World Championship. Jones, a senior at NC State, was named to the National B Team and will represent USA Swimming in Shanghai, China March 31 to April 10, 2006. Fresh off of his impressive swim at the World University Games (WUG) where he garnered a gold medal, Jones will compete in the 50 meter freestyle after ranking among the top-16 FINA world ranking with his swim of 22.17, a WUG record. He will first look to close out his senior season in college with a ACC three-peat in the 50 free and add to his collection of four ACC Championships and two back-to-back All-America selections.
"This is another great step for Cullen as he continues to progress to the highest levels of swimming," head Wolfpack coach Brooks Teal remarked. "Past finishing off his NC State and NCAA career in a great way this year, Cullen's ultimate goal is the 2008 Olympics, and opportunities like this will help prepare him to not just make the 2008 team, but compete with the great sprinters of the world."
"The National A and B teams recognize athletes who have performed at the highest level on the world stage each year," said Everett Uchiyama, USA Swimming National Team Director. "Their performances are among many great accomplishments that allow us to target support to athletes and coaches who continue our long standing tradition of being the number one swimming nation in the world."
The Wolfpack swimming and diving teams hit the water this Friday, Oct. 7 as the divers head to Greenville, N.C. for the Carolina Diving Invite and as the team holds its annual Red-White Day. The first team dual meet of the season is set for Saturday, Oct. 15 in Durham, N.C. against Duke and William & Mary.
