Wolfpack Men Sweeps Podium on Day Four of 2026 ACC Championships

Wednesday, February 18

Atlanta, GA

Prelims: 10:30 a.m. | Finals: 5:31 p.m.

NC State

ACC Swimming Championships

Wolfpack Men Sweeps Podium on Day Four of 2026 ACC Championships

2/18/2026 11:32:00 PM | Swimming

ATLANTA, GA - After a challenging start on opening night, the Wolfpack returned to McAuley Aquatic Center with purpose—and delivered. By the end of day four at the ACC Championships, PBG had captured four ACC titles and surged into third place in the team standings.

Morning Session Highlights

The Wolfpack entered the finals session tied with Cal for the most A-final qualifiers and led the field with the most B-finalists, setting the tone for a strong evening ahead.

Reigning ACC champion Quintin McCarty wasted no time making a statement in the 50 freestyle. The senior shattered the eight-year-old school record previously held by Olympic gold medalist Ryan Held (2018), touching the wall in 18.55. The swim broke the school, ACC meet, and conference records, securing McCarty the No. 1 seed heading into the A-final.

Joining him in the championship heat was junior Jerry Fox, who clocked a personal-best 18.80—tying for the sixth-fastest time in program history alongside Noah Henderson.

On the women's side, senior Katherine Helms delivered the swim of her collegiate career in the 500 freestyle, posting a lifetime best of 4:42.24—the ninth-fastest mark in program history.

Fifth-year senior Arsenio Bustos also made a strong return to conference action in the 200 IM, posting the fastest prelim time of the morning (1:42.14) out of heat three to claim the top seed heading into finals.

Evening Finals Recap

The night began with the 200 freestyle relays.

The Wolfpack women opened the session with a fourth-place finish, touching in 1:26.03. On the men's side, after earlier relay setbacks in the meet, the 200 freestyle relay squad reclaimed its dominance, defending its title for the fourth consecutive year. The quartet delivered a historic performance, stopping the clock at 1:14.02 to break the meet, ACC, and school records. The victory marked the program's 11th ACC title in the men's 200 freestyle relay.

In the 500 freestyle, the Wolfpack continued to build momentum.

Helms returned for the B-final and lowered her personal best once again, finishing in 4:42.09—the eighth-fastest time in program history, to place 10th overall.

On the men's side, Lance Norris won his heat with a 4:15.69 before freshman Max Carlsen stole the spotlight in the A-final. Chasing his first ACC crown, Carlsen powered to gold in 4:09.44, the second-fastest time in program history.

Bustos followed with another championship performance in the 200 IM. After earning the top seed in prelims, he captured his third ACC title in the event, winning in 1:40.39.

Capping off the night, McCarty returned to the pool looking to defend his 50 freestyle crown. Following his record-breaking morning swim, he delivered once again, cruising to victory in 18.63 to secure back-to-back ACC titles in the event.

Looking Ahead

The Wolfpack will enter day five of competition riding strong momentum, with prelims beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the 400 IM, 100 fly, and 200 freestyle, followed by finals at 5:30 p.m.

Medal Tally: