North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Alumnus Ryan Held Wins 100 Free Gold at U.S. Nationals
7/31/2019 9:19:00 PM | Swimming
PALO ALTO, Calif. – NC State alumnus and multi-time NCAA champion Ryan Held kicked off the 2019 Phillips 66 National Championships in record-setting fashion as he secured a first-place finish in the 100-meter freestyle Wednesday evening.
The Springfield, Ill., native set a championship and U.S. Open record during the morning heats. He posted a lifetime best of 47.43 in the prelims to take ownership of the top seed headed into the evening A final. Held then went on to lower his time once again in the finals, going 47.39 to take home the gold medal in the event.
With the time, Held is now the No. 3 American in the history of the 100-meter freestyle. His 47.39 is the third-fastest time in the world this year.
Rising Wolfpack sophomore Kylee Alons made an appearance in the finals on the women's side of the 100-meter freestyle. She swam the fastest time of her career in the preliminary heats, a 55.32 that earned her a spot in the B final where she posted a 55.35 for sixth in that finals heat.
NC State saw three of its distance swimmers rank in the top 16 in their respective events on the first day of action at U.S. Nationals. Eric Knowles (15:13.52) and incoming freshman Ross Dant (15:22.06) each clocked lifetime bests in the 1,500-meter freestyle to take sixth and eighth places, respectively. Wolfpack alumna Hannah Moore checked in at ninth in the 800-meter freestyle with an 8:33.46.
The Pack will continue action at the national meet with events running through Sunday evening.
#GoPack | @packswimdive
The Springfield, Ill., native set a championship and U.S. Open record during the morning heats. He posted a lifetime best of 47.43 in the prelims to take ownership of the top seed headed into the evening A final. Held then went on to lower his time once again in the finals, going 47.39 to take home the gold medal in the event.
With the time, Held is now the No. 3 American in the history of the 100-meter freestyle. His 47.39 is the third-fastest time in the world this year.
Rising Wolfpack sophomore Kylee Alons made an appearance in the finals on the women's side of the 100-meter freestyle. She swam the fastest time of her career in the preliminary heats, a 55.32 that earned her a spot in the B final where she posted a 55.35 for sixth in that finals heat.
NC State saw three of its distance swimmers rank in the top 16 in their respective events on the first day of action at U.S. Nationals. Eric Knowles (15:13.52) and incoming freshman Ross Dant (15:22.06) each clocked lifetime bests in the 1,500-meter freestyle to take sixth and eighth places, respectively. Wolfpack alumna Hannah Moore checked in at ninth in the 800-meter freestyle with an 8:33.46.
The Pack will continue action at the national meet with events running through Sunday evening.
#GoPack | @packswimdive
Players Mentioned
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