North Carolina State University Athletics
2014-15 Swimming & Diving Preview: Freestyle
9/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Swimming
RALEIGH, N.C. - The NC State swimming & diving team posted strong results last season in freestyle events. Head coach Braden Holloway and GoPack.com take a closer look at the 2014-15 version of the freestyle group in preparation for the season.
Holloway's Take:
"Freestyle is a big area for us," Holloway said. "It's a big focus, because it includes so many events from the 50 free all the way to the mile, as well as the relay events. We lost some key people due to graduation, but we have some key returners that can lead the team, as well as be the anchors."
Men's Key Returners:
- Simonas Bilis leads the sprint freestyle group heading into 2014-15, as he has posted impressive results throughout his first two seasons with the Pack. Bilis garnered All-America accolades in last season in the 50 and 100 freestyle, while capturing Gold at the ACC Championships in the 100 free.
- A native of Chapel Hill, N.C., David Williams also returns for his senior season with the Pack. Last season saw Williams earn All-America honors in the 50 free, while finishing All-ACC in the 50 and 200 free.
- In the distance events, Austin Snyder returns for his junior season, as he finished fourth overall at the 2014 ACC Championships in the 1650 free. In addition, Alexander Hamilton, who owns the school record in the 500, freestyle return's for his sophomore campaign.
Men's Key Newcomers:
- The Pack will add to its outstanding depth in the sprint freestyle, as newcomers Ryan Held, Colin Ellington and Hennessey Stuart promise to excite in the pool. Held, owns a personal top time of 19.52 and captured the 50 and 100 freestyle national championships this past season at the 2014 YMCA Short Course National Championships.
- Anton Ipsen will become the third Danish-born swimmer on the Wolfpack roster, joining Andreas Schiellerup and Soren Dahl. Ipsen adds to the Pack distance events, as he owns a personal-best top time of 14:54.88 in the 1650 free.
Women's Key Returners:
- The Wolfpack women's team returns the top five times from last season's squad in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle events. Among that group is junior Riki Bonnema, who earned All-ACC honors last season in the 50 freestyle and qualified for the NCAA Championships, as well as NCAA Championship qualifier Lotta Nevalainen. - In addition, Natalie Labonge returns for her sophomore campaign following an impressive freshman season that saw the Greensboro, N.C., native finish among the top five times on the squad in the 50, 100 and 200 free events and qualify for NCAA's in the 100 free.
- The Pack also returns a young core in the distance freestyle events, including Rachel Muller who owns the school record in the 500 freestyle.
Women's Key Newcomers:
- The women's squad also added several top freshmen who will see action in the sprint freestyle events and add to the team's already strong nucleus. Lauren Rhodes, Krista Duffield and junior college transfer Yurie Nakano will each compete in the freestyle events.
Up Next
The Wolfpack will open its 2014-15 regular season at the All-North Carolina Invitational, which will be held in Greensboro, N.C., Oct. 3-4.
