North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Swimmer Dan Velez Named to World Maccabiah Games
4/11/2005 12:00:00 AM | Swimming
April 11, 2005
RALEIGH, N.C. - Junior Dan Velez has been selected to compete in the 2005 World Maccabiah Games in Israel, July 10-14. He will swim in the 100 and 200 breaststroke events after making an immediate impact with NC State in his first season in Raleigh. Velez will be one of 6,000 athletes from 50 different countries who will be competing in over 30 various sports at the Maccabia Games, the fourth largest international competition in the world.
"This is a great honor and opportunity for Dan," head coach Brooks Teal remarked. "For him to accomplish this in a year where he had to make the adjustment of a transfer, that speaks a lot about the quality young man and student athlete he is. He has very quickly made a very strong contribution to our program after being here only a few months. This is his first national team so I know he is highly motivated to make the most of his chance to compete internationally. We are all very proud to have Dan with us and excited for this big step in his career."
Velez finished the season ranked in the top-100 nationally in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke, with his time of 55.15 making him the 45th fastest in the NCAA in the 100 breast. He swam his time, the second fastest in school history, at the ACC Championships, finishing fourth in the event. His 200 breaststroke time of 2:01.28 is the 61st fastest this season, and it ranks him eighth in the NC State record books. He swam that time at the ACC Championships as well, finishing sixth.
He was also a key member of the 200 medley relay team that set an ACC record in winning the ACC Championship in the event. Velez, along with teammates Kevin Devine, Kevin Velleca and Cullen Jones qualified for the NCAA Championship with a 1:27.46 in setting the record, the 12th fastest time in the NCAA this season.
Please check out the official website for more information on the 2005 World Maccabiah Games.
