North Carolina State University Athletics
Swimming Solid at First Day of Husky Invite
12/4/2008 12:00:00 AM | Swimming
FEDERAL WAY, WASH. Erica Smith put up the eighth best time in school history in the 50 freestyle with a 23.74 on the first day of action at the Husky Invite. Anna Linkenauger took 21st in the 500 freestyle on a 5:04.67, while Jen Kopenitz (2:05.84) and Linkenauger (2:08.35) took 19th and 26th in the 200 IM.
On the men’s side Mason McGee broke one of the oldest records in program history. McGee used a 4:20.60 in the finals of the 500 freestyle to swipe first place in the event and set a new record for the Wolfpack annals.
“I’m very excited about Mason setting a new school record in the 500 freestyle,” said head coach Brooks Teal. “Any time someone breaks a record they have done something great, but to surpass a former Olympian and beat a record that has lasted for so long is truly a remarkable accomplishment.”
McGee’s time tops the 30-year-old benchmark of 4:20.64 set by Dan Harrigan in 1978. The swim also hits an NCAA “B cut” qualifying standard.
Stephen Mellor took third in the 200 IM with a 1:48.80, while Kevin Woodhull-Smith placed 12th on a 1:50.50. In addition to McGee’s offering, Andrew Lester also took 23rd in the 500 freestyle with a 4:42.35. Mellor, Dan Forsythe, Mike Seiferth and McGee ended the evening with a 3:22.52 for sixth place in the 400-medley relay.
Action started earlier in the afternoon with the preliminaries, and Linkenauger got things going by posting a 5:04.02 for 21st in the 500 freestyle. Kopenitz (2:06.18) and Linkenauger (2:09.37) then placed 20th and 28th respectively in the 200 IM, before Smith’s 23.92 was good for 15th in the 50 freestyle.
In the men’s prelims McGee (4:26.49) took third and Lester (4:38.54) placed 21st in the 500 freestyle. Mellor put up a strong 1:49.32 for third place in the 200 IM while Woodhull-Smith used a 1:51.87 to take 12th. Forsythe (1:56.40), Seiferth (1:57.79) and Lester (1:58.50) also took part in the 200 IM prelims.
“I thought the team did a good job of shaking off the rust of a long cross-country flight yesterday and coming back strong tonight in the finals,” said Teal. “I have all reason to believe that everyone will continue to swim faster as our stay here goes on.”
Action will resume tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 4, at the Husky Invitational. Kristin Davies of the Wolfpack women’s diving squad will also begin participation at the Ohio State Invitational in Columbus, Ohio.
On the men’s side Mason McGee broke one of the oldest records in program history. McGee used a 4:20.60 in the finals of the 500 freestyle to swipe first place in the event and set a new record for the Wolfpack annals.
“I’m very excited about Mason setting a new school record in the 500 freestyle,” said head coach Brooks Teal. “Any time someone breaks a record they have done something great, but to surpass a former Olympian and beat a record that has lasted for so long is truly a remarkable accomplishment.”
McGee’s time tops the 30-year-old benchmark of 4:20.64 set by Dan Harrigan in 1978. The swim also hits an NCAA “B cut” qualifying standard.
Stephen Mellor took third in the 200 IM with a 1:48.80, while Kevin Woodhull-Smith placed 12th on a 1:50.50. In addition to McGee’s offering, Andrew Lester also took 23rd in the 500 freestyle with a 4:42.35. Mellor, Dan Forsythe, Mike Seiferth and McGee ended the evening with a 3:22.52 for sixth place in the 400-medley relay.
Action started earlier in the afternoon with the preliminaries, and Linkenauger got things going by posting a 5:04.02 for 21st in the 500 freestyle. Kopenitz (2:06.18) and Linkenauger (2:09.37) then placed 20th and 28th respectively in the 200 IM, before Smith’s 23.92 was good for 15th in the 50 freestyle.
In the men’s prelims McGee (4:26.49) took third and Lester (4:38.54) placed 21st in the 500 freestyle. Mellor put up a strong 1:49.32 for third place in the 200 IM while Woodhull-Smith used a 1:51.87 to take 12th. Forsythe (1:56.40), Seiferth (1:57.79) and Lester (1:58.50) also took part in the 200 IM prelims.
“I thought the team did a good job of shaking off the rust of a long cross-country flight yesterday and coming back strong tonight in the finals,” said Teal. “I have all reason to believe that everyone will continue to swim faster as our stay here goes on.”
Action will resume tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 4, at the Husky Invitational. Kristin Davies of the Wolfpack women’s diving squad will also begin participation at the Ohio State Invitational in Columbus, Ohio.
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