CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Winning each of the first 10 events, NC State swimming owned the pool early versus North Carolina, securing 55 of 84 podium spots for a resounding win by both the women and men.
Putting another signature win in the books to remain undefeated, the No. 10 NC State women dominated the No. 15 UNC-Chapel Hill squad 204-94, marking its 11th-straight win over the Heels. The No. 7 NC State men, also undefeated, fared similarly, beating down the No. 12 Tar Heels 179-108.
The squad has had an empty calendar since Nov. 22, but there were no signs of rust. NC State’s swimmers made it clear they were eager to compete.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a competition — Thanksgiving, some had US Open, Christmas break, training camp,” said head coach Braden Holloway. “They were eager to race because it’s been a while.”
One of those eager racers was freshman Max Carlsen, who set a pool and school record in the 1000-meter freestyle with a time of 8:42.38 and picked up another win in the 500-meter freestyle with a time of 4:15.
“I’m really happy about [the win],” Carlsen said. “I’m following behind [senior] Lance Norris. He’s a really big inspiration for me. I race him every day in practice, and I owe a lot to him. He makes me faster every day. [The] 500 was okay. I mean, I’ve just kept improving that event since I got here, and so I’m just happy to be improving that event.”
It’s hard to go long discussing a matchup versus the Tar Heels without mentioning the elevated status of the meet, simply due to the opponent on the other side of the pool. Carlsen, a freshman, is still learning the ropes of the rivalry.
“It’s a rivalry, I think,” Carlsen said. “We’ve been hyping it up all week. Coaches have been playing with AI images, getting us hyped. So we’ve definitely been getting ready for this meet.”
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Carlsen, though very successful Friday night versus North Carolina, was just a drop in the bucket of swimmers who thrived in Chapel Hill.
The events that stood out most, indicating the overall depth of this NC State squad, were the relays, where the Wolfpack saw great success. NC State’s A and B squads both finished before UNC’s A squad in three of four relay events, and both of NC State’s freestyle relay squads set the UNC pool record.
“We have a lot of depth in that relay right now,” Halloway said. “So they push each other all the time because they want to be on it. So it kind of keeps everyone on their toes … With two great relays, another chance to work on relay exchanges, trying to figure out what the best combos between people to get the most out of their start.”
Also having an outstanding night was sophomore Leah Shackley, who took the top spot in the 200 backstroke, 200 breaststroke and 100 butterfly. Senior Cassie Moses joined the winners’ circle, setting a pool record in the 100 freestyle with a time of 48.07.
Redshirt junior Quintin McCarty set another pool record in the 50 free event, finishing in 19.02.
Facing another top program, NC State will take on the No. 1 Virginia women and No. 20 men at the Casey Aquatic Center on Friday, Jan. 23, at 6 p.m.
