NC State
NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships
Wolfpack Finishes Fourth at NCAA Championships
3/25/2017 8:47:00 PM | Swimming
Ties highest finish in program history
INDIANAPOLIS—The NC State men's swimming and diving team wrapped up an impressive week at the 2017 NCAA Championships on Saturday with a fourth-place team finish, tallying 272.5 points over the span of four days. The accomplishment ties the highest finish in program history and matches the Wolfpack's finish at the 2016 NCAA Championships.
On the final day of competition, the Wolfpack added four more podium finishes to its ledger as Anton Ipsen, Ryan Held, Andreas Vaziaos and the 400 freestyle relay team landed among the top eight of competition.
In total, the team tallied 35 All-America honors, 25 of which were outright while 10 were honorable mention. The Wolfpack knocked down one U.S. Open record, one NCAA record, four conference records and eight school records throughout the duration of the meet.
In the team race, the Texas Longhorns won their third-straight national title, accumulating 542 points throughout the week. California finished as runner-ups with 349 points and Florida took third place with 294.5 points.
Freestyle
In the 100 free, Held earned his third individual podium finish of the week , taking third place to earn All-America honors. The junior is now an 18-time All-American. His time of 41.21 stands as a personal best and the second-fastest time in program history. Justin Ress earned honorable mention All-America honors in the event, tying for 12th place with a time of 42.58. In the prelim session Ress swam a time of 42.30.
Distance specialists Ipsen and Adam Linker both wrapped up their NCAA showing with lifetime bests in the 1,650 freestyle. Ipsen broke the school record in the event, finishing seventh with a time of 14:34.85. His performance earned him first team All-America honors, the seventh of his career. Senior Linker touched the wall in a lifetime best of 14:40.46 to tab an 11th-place finish and honorable mention All-America honors.
Butterfly
Andreas Vazaios grabbed the highest NCAA finish of his career in the 200 butterfly, finishing in fifth with a time of 1:40.80 to earn All-America honors. His time from prelims, 1:40.77, stands as both a school and conference record.
Backstroke
In the 200 backstroke, Hennessey Stuart swam a time of 1:41.16 to take 21st in the overall standings. Coleman Stewart earned a 25th place-finish with a lifetime best of 1:41.90.
Breaststroke
Derek Hren wrapped up his collegiate career on Saturday by finishing 36th in the 200 breaststroke. The senior touched in the wall in a time of 1:57.58.
Wolfpack Diving
James Brady represented NC State in platform diving, marking the first time the Wolfpack has qualified a diver since 1996. In his first NCAA experience, the freshman finished 34th overall with 271.05 points.
Wolfpack Relays
NC State concluded NCAAs with a seventh place finish in the 400 freestyle relay. The team of Held, Ress, Joe Bonk and Soren Dahl stopped the clock in 2:49.09 to earn All-America honors.
Players Mentioned
