North Carolina State University Athletics
Men's Swimming at NCAA Championships, Day Two
3/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Swimming
March 24, 2006
The team made it back to the hotel around 10 last night after a long day at the pool. After Cullen Jones won the 50 free championship, time seemed to slow down for everyone.
Nearly every coach and a handful of athletes came up to congratulate Cullen, including multiple Olympic Gold medalist, Michael Phelps. Phelps came over to meet and offer Cullen phrase, and afterwards Cullen was excited. He said that if he finally "rates" with this world class swimmer then maybe he is somebody. I told him I said congrats to him as well, and he said, "Yeah, but you didn't win seven gold medals." I guess he has a point, and for Phelps to be impressed by what Cullen did today made it even sweeter.
The kids grabbed a quick bite and went straight to sleep, as the 200 medley relay prelims are first up this morning. Dan Velez swims in the 100 breaststroke and Kevin Velleca will compete in the 100 backstroke today as well.
Prelims start at noon with the finals back on tonight at 7 p.m.
Jones' championship was the first swimming title since David Fox won the same event in 1993, and the first individual NCAA champion for NC State since Kristin Price won the 10,000 meters in 2002 in track.
