North Carolina State University Athletics
2010-11 Women's Swimming & Diving Outlook
10/12/2010 12:00:00 AM | Swimming
Oct. 12, 2010
RALEIGH, N.C. -
The 2010-11 NC State women’s swimming and diving team will look to build off of the momentum of its most successful season in several years. Eighteen letterwinners return from a year ago to form a nucleus that was responsible for 22 all-time top-10 marks, 11 NCAA “B” cut qualifying standards, and three school records. Ashley Richter set two school records, while Marifrances Henley set one of her own. Richter, Henley, Jen Kopenitz and Christina McCann have combined for 14 all-time top-10 swims, while Maggie McEnerney, Morgan Robertson, Katie Robinson, Meg Thompson, Jessica Ward and Erica Waters have supplied eight total. Eight newcomers will begin making their own stamp on the program.
Backstroke
Kopenitz, Robertson and Robinson will lead the charge in backstroke events, while Amanda Panty will supply seasoned experience and depth. Casey Cooper, Kaitlin Mills, Lauren Poore and Bailey Woodling will all get opportunities to make a dent on the school record book.
Breaststroke
McCann and Ward stand as the top returners in breaststroke swims, with each owning top-10 all-time school marks. Kirsten Esplin will see more action in her second season with the Wolfpack, and Jessica McBroom will be a factor. Standout newcomer Kelsey Liu should instantly influence the rotation.
Butterfly
A strong butterfly corps featuring McEnerney, Thompson and McBroom should see continued success, spelled by the addition of Zina Grogg, Jordan Paavola and Woodling. Julianna Prim appears poised to become one of the Pack’s top swimmers after transferring from Pfieffer College where she collected All-America honors and set 11 school records.
Distance Freestyle
McEnerney will again front the effort in distance freestyle events, supported by Esplin. McBroom, McCann and Henley will provide additional depth.
Diving
Hannah Hopkins is back after winning the ACC Championship in the platform dive and earning all-conference honors in both the 3-meter and platform dives. Kirstyn Shepler picked up All-ACC honors as well in the platform dive, while both competed at the NCAA Zone B Diving Championships.
Individual Medley
The individual medley corps is one of the strongest returning groups on the roster, boasting Kopenitz, McCann, Ward and McBroom. Liu figures to make an impression as well.
Mid-Distance Freestyle
Waters is the Pack’s top returning contributor in mid-distance freestyle events, having posted the third-best time on the team last year in the 200 freestyle.
Sprint Freestyle
NC State appears to be loaded at sprint freestyle. Richter is at the head of the class, owning school records in the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle, and standing second in school history in the 200 freestyle. Henley falls right behind her with all-time top-10 marks in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle, including the school’s all-time best mark in the 200 freestyle. Erin Gray, Allison Hendren, Nancy Radloff, Panty, Robertson and Thompson also carry several years worth of experience, while Cooper, Grogg, Paavola, Poore, Prim and Woodling will be eager to make their own waves within the program.
