North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Closes U.S. National Championships with Three Medals, National Title, & High Point Award
8/2/2026 11:39:00 AM | Swimming
IRVINE, CA. - The select members of the Wolfpack squad wrap up their time out west after a five day competition in the U.S. National Swimming Championships in Irvine California. The Pack totaled 34 finals appearances, captured three medals, crowned one U.S. National Champion, and continued to rewrite the program's long course record book with several personal bests and top-five all-time performances.Â
Max Carlsen opened the meet with a fifth place finish in the 1,500 freestyle, touching the wall in a personal best time of 15:14.76. The swim marked his fastest performance in the event and was his first time competing in the 1,500 freestyle since the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
Erika Pelaez continued her record breaking season by lowering her own school record twice in the 200 freestyle. She first set a new mark of 1:58.22 during the prelims before improving it again in the finals with a time of 1:58.05 to finish seventh overall. Pelaez returned to the podium on day three, capturing the bronze medal in the 100 butterfly. Her personal best swim earned her first medal of the championship while moving her into fourth place all-time in program history in the event's LCM rankings. Pelaez closed out an outstanding week by being named the recipient of the High Point Award, presented to the male or female athlete who accumulated the most points throughout the championship. The honor capped a remarkable meet that included two school records, a bronze medal, and one of the top individual performances of the competition.
Quintin McCarty once again proved why he is one of the nation's top backstrokers. After recording the fastest prelims time to earn the top seed, McCarty successfully defended his U.S. National Championship in the 50 backstroke. He touched first in 24.73 to claim the gold medal and become a two-time U.S. National Champion in the event. McCarty added another medal to his collection on the final day, earning silver in the 50 freestyle with a time of 21.75. The runner-up finish secured his second medal of the championship.
Jerry Fox capped off the opening day with a fifth place finish in the 100 freestyle. His prelims swim of 48.25 stands as the second fastest time in program history and secured his place in the championship final.
In the men's 200 backstroke, Gavin Keogh recorded a career-best swim of 1:57.68 to finish fourth overall. The performance moved him into fourth place all-time in the program's long course meters (LCM) record book.
Incoming freshman Emma Cigna made an immediate impact by earning a second swim in the 200 butterfly after posting a prelims time of 2:12.47. The performance would rank as the second fastest time in program history, and Cigna went on to finish 20th overall in the event. Fellow freshman Emerson Callis also delivered a strong performance in the event, placing 22nd with a time of 2:12.75. Her swim would rank as the third-fastest performance in program history, trailing only Pelaez and Cigna.
Medal Tally:ÂGOLD | Quintin McCarty | 50 backstroke LCM (24.73)
SILVER | Quintin McCarty | 50 freestyle LCM (21.75)
BRONZE | Erika Pelaez | 100 butterfly LCM (58.43)
School Records:Â
Erika Pelaez | 200 freestyle | 1:58.22
Erika Pelaez | 200 freestyle | 1:58.05
Top- 24 Finishers:Â
1st place | Quintin McCarty | 50 backstroke | 24.73
2nd place | Quintin McCarty | 50 freestyle | 21.75
3rd place | Erika Pelaez | 100 butterfly | 58.43 (Personal Best)(4th fastest in program history)
4th place | Erika Pelaez | 50 backstroke | 28.06
4th place | Gavin Keogh | 200 backstroke | 1:57.68 (Personal Best)(4th fastest in program history)
5th place | Max Carlsen | 1500 freestyle | 15:14.76 (Personal Best)
5th place | Jerry Fox | 100 freestyle | 48.29Â
6th place | Kennedy Noble | 50 backstroke | 28.19
6th place | Kennedy Noble | 100 backstroke | 59.81
7th place | Erika Pelaez | 100 freestyle | 54.33
7th place | Erika Pelaez | 200 freestyle | 1:58.05 (School Record)
7th place | Kennedy Noble | 200 backstroke | 2:10.54
8th place | Max Carlsen | 800 freestyle | 7:58.96
8th place | Max Carlsen | 400 freestyle | 3:54.97
8th place | Erika Pelaez | 100 backstroke | 59.97
9th place | Gavin Keogh | 100 backstroke | 54.36
11th place | Lily Christianson | 50 freestyle | 25.11
11th place | Jerry Fox | 50 freestyle | 22.19
11th place | Daniel Diehl | 100 backstroke | 54.77
12th place | Erika Pelaez | 50 freestyle | 25.13
12th place | Gavin Keogh | 50 backstroke | 25.56
12th place | Max Buff | 200 backstroke | 2:00.47
13th place | Lily Christianson | 50 butterfly | 26.84
14th place | Ian Stutts | 200 IM | 2:01.06
14th place | Wells Walker | 50 butterfly | 23.82
14th place | Wells Walker | 50 freestyle | 22.41
16th place | Lily King | 100 freestyle | 55.74
20th place | Emma Cigna | 200 butterfly | 2:12.47 (2nd fastest time in program history)
21st place | Emerson Callis | 200 IM | 2:15.79
22nd place | Emerson Callis | 200 butterfly | 2:12.75
22nd place | Emma Cigna | 400 IM | 4:46.21
23rd place | Emma Cigna | 200 IM | 2:15.79
24th place | Emerson Callis | 400 IM | 4:47.47
24th place | Emerson Callis | 400 freestyle | 4:17.97
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