North Carolina State University Athletics
TIM PEELER: Cullen Jones' biggest fan? David Fox
2/23/2006 12:00:00 AM | Swimming
Feb. 23, 2006
BY TIM PEELER
RALEIGH -- Of the many sets of eyes that will be watching what NC State swimming champion Cullen Jones does over the next month, there is one set that will be pulling harder than any other for Jones to break all of David Fox's school and ACC records.
Those eyes belonging to David Fox.
"I absolutely want him to break my records," said the former NCAA champion in the 50-freestyle and Olympic gold medalist in the 100 freestyle relay. "Not just mine, but all of the records that are out there."
Fox owns three of the top-four times in school history in the 50-freestyle (19.14 (ACC Record), 19.35 and 19.40). Jones has been approaching those numbers throughout his career and has a current personal best of 19.35, set earlier this season in College Park, Md. - site of the ACC Championships. But Jones' split during the record-setting 200 medley relay on Wednesday was 18.42 seconds, unofficially the fastest time in NCAA history.
"He could (break all the records) this weekend, though I think his preparation is steering him towards a peak in four weeks (for the NCAA Championships," Fox said. "If he does something dramatic this weekend, that's a bonus, but I don't think he is trying to physically peak for another couple of weeks."Fox, an investment banker with GoldmanSachs, can't be at this weekend's ACC Championships, because he is completing a move from Philadelphia to Atlanta. But he plans on being at next months' NCAA Championships in Atlanta, Ga. to support his alma mater.
"I am hoping I see a school and ACC record while I am there," Fox said. "And I would love to see an NCAA record.
"First and foremost, though, I want to support a Wolfpack team that I think is going to be poised to have a strong showing."
You may contact Tim Peeler at tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.
