Wolfpack Adds to Medal Tally as Hayes Wins Gold, Winkler Takes Bronze

Thursday, February 19

Atlanta, GA

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

NC State

ACC Swimming Championships

Wolfpack Adds to Medal Tally as Hayes Wins Gold, Winkler Takes Bronze

2/19/2026 11:02:00 PM | Swimming

ATLANTA, GA. - The NC State Wolfpack men's swimming and diving team continued its pursuit of another ACC Championship team title on day five, as senior Aiden Hayes and sophomore Kaii Winkler added to the medal count in an electric evening session.

Morning Session
The Wolfpack opened the day with a strong showing in prelims, led by veteran fifth-years Arsenio Bustos and Aiden Hayes. Swimming out of heat four in the 100 butterfly, Bustos set the tone early, winning his heat in 45.19. Hayes followed with one of the morning's standout performances, securing the top overall seed in the men's 100 fly to position himself for a prime lane in the A-final.

On the women's side, Teia Salvino and Tyler Driscoll both delivered personal-best swims in the 100 fly. Salvino advanced to the B-final, while Driscoll earned a spot in the C-final.

Kyle Ponsler battled his way into the C-final of the 400 IM and made the most of his evening opportunity. Leading his heat from start to finish, Ponsler claimed the win in 3:41.88, adding valuable points for the Pack.

Sophomores Leah Shackley and Erika Pelaez represented NC State in the women's 100 fly A-final. Shackley placed fourth overall with a time of 50.52, while Pelaez followed in seventh at 50.91, contributing crucial championship points.

Evening Highlights
In the men's 100 fly A-final, Hayes entered the race in search of his first ACC title of the weekend and delivered. Replicating his dominant morning swim, Hayes surged to the wall in 44.07 to claim gold and stand atop the podium. Bustos added to the Wolfpack's total with a fifth-place finish in 44.82.

The night concluded with Kaii Winkler chasing his first career ACC podium appearance in the 200 freestyle A-final. After ranking among the nation's top-five performers throughout the season, Winkler proved he belonged. Taking the race out aggressively, he held strong down the stretch to secure bronze in 1:31.27, his first ACC Championship medal.