Daniel Diehl and NC State Dominate Swimpalooza: How They Swept Georgia with Record-Breaking Performances!
Daniel Diehl delivered an impressive performance, contributing significantly to NC State Swimming‘s commanding sweep of the University of Georgia at the annual Swimpalooza event. Over two days, NC State Wolfpack‘s men’s and women’s teams outperformed Georgia in both individual and relay events, showcasing depth, skill, and teamwork in the competitive setting at Bauerle Pool in Gabrielsen Natatorium.
A Strong Start: NC State’s Dominant Scoreline in College Swimming
The NC State Swimming men’s team clinched victory with a decisive score of 232.5-134.5 against the Bulldogs, while the women’s team earned a solid 218-152 win. Daniel Diehl, a standout swimmer on the men’s team, played a crucial role in this success. His performance on the second day demonstrated his versatility and resilience, starting with a second-place finish in the 200 Backstroke, clocking in at an impressive 1:41.15, just behind Georgia’s Ruard van Renen.
Diehl’s Commanding Win in the 200 Individual Medley (200 IM)
Daniel Diehl‘s skill was on full display when he triumphed in the 200 Individual Medley (200 IM) with a swift time of 1:43.85, leading the race by over two seconds and outpacing his teammate Simon Bermudez. This victory not only added valuable points for NC State but highlighted Diehl’s capacity to dominate complex events that require mastery of all four strokes.
Relay Excellence: Diehl Anchors the 800 Free Relay
One of the event’s highlights was the men’s 800 Free Relay, where Daniel Diehl anchored NC State Wolfpack’s team to a winning time of 6:19.81. Swimming alongside teammates Kaii Winkler, Jerry Fox, and Sam Hoover, Diehl completed his anchor leg in 1:34.82, a touch slower than Hoover’s impressive 1:34.69 in the third leg. This 800 Free Relay victory underscored NC State Swimming‘s depth, coordination, and strategic prowess in relay events.
NC State’s Standout Performances in Individual Events
Several NC State Wolfpack swimmers delivered stellar individual performances, complementing Daniel Diehl’s contributions. Hoover secured a win in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:57.34. In the long-distance 1,000 Free, Owen Lloyd claimed victory with a time of 8:47.51, edging out teammate Lance Norris in a close finish.
The men’s team concluded the meet with an exhilarating 400 Free Relay win by the B squad, consisting of Luke Miller, Drew Salls, Quintin McCarty, and Wells Walker. This B-team victory was unexpected, as the A-team’s disqualification for an early takeoff by Kaii Winkler had initially cast doubt on NC State Swimming’s relay dominance. However, the B-team’s final time of 2:52.31 secured the win, demonstrating the depth and determination of NC State Wolfpack‘s roster.
Women’s Team: Leah Shackley and Erika Pelaez Lead the Charge
On the women’s side, freshman Leah Shackley and Erika Pelaez were key figures. Following Shackley’s double win in the 100-stroke events on Day 1, she continued to shine by winning the 200 backstroke with an impressive 1:50.81. Shackley also showcased her endurance in the 200-yard butterfly, narrowly beating Georgia’s Ieva Maluka by four-tenths of a second to finish at 1:55.75.
In relay action, Pelaez led the NC State women’s 400 Medley Relay to victory with a start time that set the pace for a winning finish of 3:32.40. Additionally, she demonstrated her individual prowess by winning the 200 IM in a tight race, finishing at 1:57.01, edging out Maluka by a mere .12 seconds. These performances underscored the fresh talent NC State Swimming is bringing to college swimming.
Diving and Other Highlights at Gabrielsen Natatorium
NC State Swimming also demonstrated superiority in diving, with Elisabeth Rockefeller sweeping both events for the women. On the Georgia side, Abby McCulloh and Rachel Stege secured a 1-2 finish in the 1,000 Free, with McCulloh’s time of 9:32.27 marking a top-10 performance in Georgia’s program history. Georgia’s women also closed the event with victories in the last two relays, including a standout anchor leg from Sloane Reinstein in the 800 free relay, who clocked in at 1:45.49.
A Dominant Weekend for NC State Wolfpack
Daniel Diehl and his NC State Swimming teammates delivered a well-rounded and powerful performance throughout Swimpalooza, sweeping Georgia across both men’s and women’s events. Diehl’s versatile swimming style, from medleys to relays, paired with the strength of teammates like Hoover, Leah Shackley, and Erika Pelaez, highlighted NC State’s potential as a collegiate swimming powerhouse. As the season progresses, the NC State Wolfpack’s depth and teamwork will make them a formidable force in college swimming, aiming for continued excellence in every event.
