Swimming & Diving recruiting
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Last: 1 yr ago by DecaturWolf
Mormad said:
2 incredibly elite rising juniors have us in their top 3 for the WW. Program changers. One could be a program definer, but I think she'll be an Olympian so that could complicate the picture. This girl is ridiculous. Shattering records.
Any updates on Curzan and Tuggle. I think if State doesn't win those recruiting battles, they have to at least pray those two head out of state (i.e., Stanford, Texas or Cal). If Virginia gets even one of those two, their upcoming dominance will all but be solidified. No one has recruited as well as DeSorbo the last 2-3 years.
Also curious about UNC. I think they have the profile and now, likely the coaching staff, to start to attract elite recruits again. The ACC continues to evolve into the most competitive conference in America.
I suspect CC is Stanford bound.
I'll keep my mouth shut about Todd.
I'll keep my mouth shut about Todd.
Excited to welcome Abbey to the Wolfpack family!#GoPack // #WW pic.twitter.com/RyWeu6aplp
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) June 1, 2021
The newest addition to the family.
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) June 21, 2021
Welcome to our Pack, Bartosz!#GoPack // #PBG pic.twitter.com/KarODP1JCH
1: NC STATE WOLFPACK
Top-tier additions: #1 Aiden Hayes (OK fly/free), #7 Arsenio Bustos (CT IM/free), #9 David Curtiss (PA free), #12 Sam Hoover (NC free/IM), HM Garrett Boone (NC free), Noe Ponti (Switzerland fly/free), Bartosz Piszczorowicz (Poland/Louisville transfer free), Nathan Kempiak (AZ breast), Alexander Norgaard* (Denmark distance free)
The rest: Peter Edin (NC diving)
Landing the top spot in this year's recruiting class rankings on the men's side is NC State, bringing in an astonishing four swimmers ranked inside our top-12, plus one Honorable Mention, an individual Olympic medalist and a top-tier transfer.
Aiden Hayes has been entrenched as the class's top-ranked recruit for the past two seasons, with the ability to step in and score individually at the NCAA level right away and also contribute on the Wolfpack relays.
Hayes is in a class all by himself (among American recruits) in the 100 fly, having broken Joseph Schooling's National High School Record last season in 45.47, which will challenge for a spot in the NCAA 'A' final. He's also got an unbelievable 1:41.34 best in the 200 fly, .01 off of what it took to place eighth in the 2021 NCAA prelims, though it's remains to be seen if that's an event he'll train for in college. He may opt to focus more on the sprints, where he has bests of 19.2/43.0 in freestyle, making him a valued relay asset, and he can also rip a 46.3 100 back.
#7 Arsenio Bustos and #12 Sam Hoover bring a similar skillset to the table, with Bustos coming off a phenomenal 2020-21 that saw him emerge as the class's best in the 200 IM (1:43.94) and a high-end performer in the 100 fly (46.51) and 100 free (43.27). Bustos is also extremely well rounded, with a 19.9 50 free, 1:36 200 free, 47.9 100 back and 53.5 100 breast, while Hoover has 1:45.6/3:47 IMs, 20.0/43.1/1:35.5 freestyles, 54.1/1:57.1 breaststrokes and a 48.9 100 fly.
Both will base their event focus around the 200 IM, with Bustos potentially leaning towards a 100 fly/100 free focus and Hoover racing the 100/200 free. Both bring relay value, too.
Speaking of relay value, how about #9 David Curtiss? The fastest 50 freestyler out of high school since Ryan Hoffer, Curtiss, who owns a best of 19.11, could win the NCAA title as soon as this season, and it looks like he'll be a lock to throw down sub-19 relay splits, which are always massive at NCAAs (and ACCs). His 100 has been progressing as well, with a 42.8 best time as a high school senior a big step forward. With his raw speed and power, it's easy to see him blasting 41s on relays soon.
Noe Ponti is another potential NCAA champion if he can make a smooth transition to yards, as the Swiss native won bronze behind Caeleb Dressel and Kristof Milak in the 100 fly at the Olympics this summer in a blazing long course time of 50.74. That time has a conversion of 44.45, two tenths off of Hoffer's NCAA-winning time last season.
Ponti will also be near the top in the 200 fly, where his LCM time of 1:55.06 translates to 1:41.13, and his 1:47.76 200 free PB converts over to 1:34.19, which could put him on their 800 free relay this season.
It's easy to get caught up in the conversions, but Ponti has all the makings of a true star for NC State. He's also got a 1:55.14 SCM 200 IM from the 2019 European SC Championships which converts to 1:43.9, matching Bustos' best, which is at the top of the class. Ponti has also broken 50 in the LCM 100 free, making him a future contributor on the 400 free relay as well.
An NCAA schedule of 200 IM, 100 fly and 200 fly looks most likely for Ponti, but his value multiplies with his abilities everywhere else.
It's crazy that we haven't even yet touched on Garrett Boone, a 20.0/43.7/1:36.3 freestyler that adds to the Pack's insane depth in that area. He's also got a solid 200 back (1:45.3) and 200 IM (1:47.4) in his back pocket.
There's also incoming breaststroker Nathan Kempiak (53.8/2:01.4) and Polish freestyle transfer Bartosz Piszczorowicz (20.3/43.0/1:33.4) out of Louisville. Piszczorowicz, who has at least two (up to three) years of eligibility remaining, will make it that much more competitive to land a spot on a Wolfpack free relay this season.
Updated*: Danish distance freestyler Alexander Norgaard told SwimSwam he will be joining NC State in January. Norgaard is an extremely elite distance freestyler, having made the final at the 2019 World Championships with a LCM 1500 best of 14:47.75. That converts to 14:30.34 in the 1650-yard event, putting him in position for a top finish at NCAAs.
Last season was a bit of a down year for the NC State menthe team finished eighth at NCAAs, their lowest since 2015, and failed to win the ACC crown for the first time since 2014. But this class will inject new life into the Pack and make them NCAA championship contenders sooner rather than later.
Top-tier additions: #1 Aiden Hayes (OK fly/free), #7 Arsenio Bustos (CT IM/free), #9 David Curtiss (PA free), #12 Sam Hoover (NC free/IM), HM Garrett Boone (NC free), Noe Ponti (Switzerland fly/free), Bartosz Piszczorowicz (Poland/Louisville transfer free), Nathan Kempiak (AZ breast), Alexander Norgaard* (Denmark distance free)
The rest: Peter Edin (NC diving)
Landing the top spot in this year's recruiting class rankings on the men's side is NC State, bringing in an astonishing four swimmers ranked inside our top-12, plus one Honorable Mention, an individual Olympic medalist and a top-tier transfer.
Aiden Hayes has been entrenched as the class's top-ranked recruit for the past two seasons, with the ability to step in and score individually at the NCAA level right away and also contribute on the Wolfpack relays.
Hayes is in a class all by himself (among American recruits) in the 100 fly, having broken Joseph Schooling's National High School Record last season in 45.47, which will challenge for a spot in the NCAA 'A' final. He's also got an unbelievable 1:41.34 best in the 200 fly, .01 off of what it took to place eighth in the 2021 NCAA prelims, though it's remains to be seen if that's an event he'll train for in college. He may opt to focus more on the sprints, where he has bests of 19.2/43.0 in freestyle, making him a valued relay asset, and he can also rip a 46.3 100 back.
#7 Arsenio Bustos and #12 Sam Hoover bring a similar skillset to the table, with Bustos coming off a phenomenal 2020-21 that saw him emerge as the class's best in the 200 IM (1:43.94) and a high-end performer in the 100 fly (46.51) and 100 free (43.27). Bustos is also extremely well rounded, with a 19.9 50 free, 1:36 200 free, 47.9 100 back and 53.5 100 breast, while Hoover has 1:45.6/3:47 IMs, 20.0/43.1/1:35.5 freestyles, 54.1/1:57.1 breaststrokes and a 48.9 100 fly.
Both will base their event focus around the 200 IM, with Bustos potentially leaning towards a 100 fly/100 free focus and Hoover racing the 100/200 free. Both bring relay value, too.
Speaking of relay value, how about #9 David Curtiss? The fastest 50 freestyler out of high school since Ryan Hoffer, Curtiss, who owns a best of 19.11, could win the NCAA title as soon as this season, and it looks like he'll be a lock to throw down sub-19 relay splits, which are always massive at NCAAs (and ACCs). His 100 has been progressing as well, with a 42.8 best time as a high school senior a big step forward. With his raw speed and power, it's easy to see him blasting 41s on relays soon.
Noe Ponti is another potential NCAA champion if he can make a smooth transition to yards, as the Swiss native won bronze behind Caeleb Dressel and Kristof Milak in the 100 fly at the Olympics this summer in a blazing long course time of 50.74. That time has a conversion of 44.45, two tenths off of Hoffer's NCAA-winning time last season.
Ponti will also be near the top in the 200 fly, where his LCM time of 1:55.06 translates to 1:41.13, and his 1:47.76 200 free PB converts over to 1:34.19, which could put him on their 800 free relay this season.
It's easy to get caught up in the conversions, but Ponti has all the makings of a true star for NC State. He's also got a 1:55.14 SCM 200 IM from the 2019 European SC Championships which converts to 1:43.9, matching Bustos' best, which is at the top of the class. Ponti has also broken 50 in the LCM 100 free, making him a future contributor on the 400 free relay as well.
An NCAA schedule of 200 IM, 100 fly and 200 fly looks most likely for Ponti, but his value multiplies with his abilities everywhere else.
It's crazy that we haven't even yet touched on Garrett Boone, a 20.0/43.7/1:36.3 freestyler that adds to the Pack's insane depth in that area. He's also got a solid 200 back (1:45.3) and 200 IM (1:47.4) in his back pocket.
There's also incoming breaststroker Nathan Kempiak (53.8/2:01.4) and Polish freestyle transfer Bartosz Piszczorowicz (20.3/43.0/1:33.4) out of Louisville. Piszczorowicz, who has at least two (up to three) years of eligibility remaining, will make it that much more competitive to land a spot on a Wolfpack free relay this season.
Updated*: Danish distance freestyler Alexander Norgaard told SwimSwam he will be joining NC State in January. Norgaard is an extremely elite distance freestyler, having made the final at the 2019 World Championships with a LCM 1500 best of 14:47.75. That converts to 14:30.34 in the 1650-yard event, putting him in position for a top finish at NCAAs.
Last season was a bit of a down year for the NC State menthe team finished eighth at NCAAs, their lowest since 2015, and failed to win the ACC crown for the first time since 2014. But this class will inject new life into the Pack and make them NCAA championship contenders sooner rather than later.
Ranking The 2021 Men’s NCAA Recruiting Classes: #1-4 https://t.co/3izK2fokF9
— SwimSwam (@swimswamnews) September 14, 2021
#17 Keelan Cotter (2023) from @TACTITANS Makes Verbal Commitment to NC State @packswimdive Where She Will Join Brother Michael Cotter (2022) https://t.co/ktScbF0nkM
Letter is in! Help us welcome Tamryn to the Pack! pic.twitter.com/c2eDQKCqRF
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) November 10, 2021
OFFICIALLY OFFICIAL. Welcome to the fam, @KylePonsler 🐺 pic.twitter.com/pqAkW56Ks0
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) November 10, 2021
Signed ✍️
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) November 11, 2021
Excited to have Lance as part of the Pack! pic.twitter.com/H5TMwXskSw
PUMPED to officially welcome Kennedy to our #WW family 🐺 pic.twitter.com/1jnccHTSMA
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) November 11, 2021
Florida 3A State Champion Mitchell Ledford Gives 2023 Verbal Nod to NC State - https://t.co/M1B3zukFxE @packswimdive https://t.co/h7OGsTPdyg
NCSA Finalist Hudson Williams Lends 2023 Verbal to NC State Wolfpack - https://t.co/eULsynwhDq @packswimdive https://t.co/QVxk5GX9y9
2021 NCAA B Finalist Sarah Watson to Transfer to NC State for 5th Year https://t.co/RG6GaKGYTZ
2021 NCAA B finalist in the 200 IM Sarah Watson has announced she will be using her COVID-19 fifth year at NC State. Watson entered the transfer portal back in October 2021 to explore options for her fifth year.
Watson spent her first four years of eligibility at Akron. She leaves Akron with a total of nine school records, including six of those being Mid-American Conference (MAC) records.
This past season, Watson was Akron's second highest individual scorer at the MAC Championships as she scored 57 individual points. Watson won both the 100 free (48.70) and 200 IM (1:56.86) while also finishing second in the 100 fly (52.40). She went on to swim at NCAAs where she finished 24th in the 100 fly (52.10), 30th in the 100 free (48.50), and 40th in the 200 IM (1:57.54).
In the 2021 season, Watson finished 14th in the 200 IM at NCAAs swimming a 1:57.43 in finals. She also competed in the 100 free (48.63, 18th) and 100 fly (52.30).
Watson also qualified for NCAAs back in 2019. There she finished 11th in the 100 fly.
Watson's best times are:
50 free: 22.38
100 free: 48.50
200 free: 1:45.18
100 fly: 51.73
200 fly: 1:55.98
200 IM: 1:56.42
Watson has the potential to make a huge impact for NC State. Her best time in the 100 fly would have finished sixth at 2022 ACCs. In addition, her 100 free would have finished eighth and her 200 IM would have finished seventh.
2021 NCAA B finalist in the 200 IM Sarah Watson has announced she will be using her COVID-19 fifth year at NC State. Watson entered the transfer portal back in October 2021 to explore options for her fifth year.
Watson spent her first four years of eligibility at Akron. She leaves Akron with a total of nine school records, including six of those being Mid-American Conference (MAC) records.
This past season, Watson was Akron's second highest individual scorer at the MAC Championships as she scored 57 individual points. Watson won both the 100 free (48.70) and 200 IM (1:56.86) while also finishing second in the 100 fly (52.40). She went on to swim at NCAAs where she finished 24th in the 100 fly (52.10), 30th in the 100 free (48.50), and 40th in the 200 IM (1:57.54).
In the 2021 season, Watson finished 14th in the 200 IM at NCAAs swimming a 1:57.43 in finals. She also competed in the 100 free (48.63, 18th) and 100 fly (52.30).
Watson also qualified for NCAAs back in 2019. There she finished 11th in the 100 fly.
Watson's best times are:
50 free: 22.38
100 free: 48.50
200 free: 1:45.18
100 fly: 51.73
200 fly: 1:55.98
200 IM: 1:56.42
Watson has the potential to make a huge impact for NC State. Her best time in the 100 fly would have finished sixth at 2022 ACCs. In addition, her 100 free would have finished eighth and her 200 IM would have finished seventh.
swimswamnews: NC State @packswimdive Earns 1st Class of 2024 Verbal Commitment from #6 Erika Pelaez
swimswamnews: NC State @packswimdive Earns 1st Class of 2024 Verbal Commitment from #6 Erika Pelaez
https://swimswam.com/nc-state-earns-1st-class-of-2024-verbal-commitment-from-6-erika-pelaez/
We ranked Pelaez the #6 sophomore last spring on our Way Too Early list of top recruits from the high school class of 2024. A homeschooled high school junior (she is an honor roll dual enrollment student with a perfect GPA through Broward Virtual School), she trains year-round with Eagle Aquatics and excels at an enormously wide range of events. She is a 52-point in both the 100 fly and 100 back, and she is also an excellent 50/100/200 freestyler. She was selected to USA Swimming's 2022-23 National Junior Team for her performances this summer in the 50/100 free and 100 back.
In July, at the Phillips 66 National Championships, she finaled in the 50/100 free, 100/200 back, and 100 fly and clocked PBs in each event. She was 10th in the 50 free (25.31), 7th in the 100 free (54.65), 6th in the 100 back (1:00.33), 19th in the 200 back (2:13.03), and 10th in the 100 fly (59.23). Three weeks prior, she had won every event she entered (50/200 free, 100/200 back, and 100 fly) at Plantation Sectionals.
In short course season, she competed at the Florida High School Class 1A State Championships as a member of the South Florida Home Educated Athletic Teams and came away with a pair of wins in the 50 free (22.29) and 100 back (52.34). At Winter Juniors East, she was runner-up in the 100 free (48.62) and 100 back (52.26), 4th in the 50 free (22.40), and 17th in the 200 back (1:56.29) and 100 fly (52.74).
Pelaez has a similar event lineup to NC State All-Americans Katharine Berkoff and Kylee Alons. With Berkoff swimming in her senior season this year (although she is eligible for a fifth year), and Alons, Andrea Podmanikova, and Emma Muzzy swimming in their final year with the Wolfpack, Pelaez will help replenish the sprint/back/fly prowess that has helped define NC State in recent years.
swimswamnews: NC State @packswimdive Earns 1st Class of 2024 Verbal Commitment from #6 Erika Pelaez
https://swimswam.com/nc-state-earns-1st-class-of-2024-verbal-commitment-from-6-erika-pelaez/
We ranked Pelaez the #6 sophomore last spring on our Way Too Early list of top recruits from the high school class of 2024. A homeschooled high school junior (she is an honor roll dual enrollment student with a perfect GPA through Broward Virtual School), she trains year-round with Eagle Aquatics and excels at an enormously wide range of events. She is a 52-point in both the 100 fly and 100 back, and she is also an excellent 50/100/200 freestyler. She was selected to USA Swimming's 2022-23 National Junior Team for her performances this summer in the 50/100 free and 100 back.
In July, at the Phillips 66 National Championships, she finaled in the 50/100 free, 100/200 back, and 100 fly and clocked PBs in each event. She was 10th in the 50 free (25.31), 7th in the 100 free (54.65), 6th in the 100 back (1:00.33), 19th in the 200 back (2:13.03), and 10th in the 100 fly (59.23). Three weeks prior, she had won every event she entered (50/200 free, 100/200 back, and 100 fly) at Plantation Sectionals.
In short course season, she competed at the Florida High School Class 1A State Championships as a member of the South Florida Home Educated Athletic Teams and came away with a pair of wins in the 50 free (22.29) and 100 back (52.34). At Winter Juniors East, she was runner-up in the 100 free (48.62) and 100 back (52.26), 4th in the 50 free (22.40), and 17th in the 200 back (1:56.29) and 100 fly (52.74).
Pelaez has a similar event lineup to NC State All-Americans Katharine Berkoff and Kylee Alons. With Berkoff swimming in her senior season this year (although she is eligible for a fifth year), and Alons, Andrea Podmanikova, and Emma Muzzy swimming in their final year with the Wolfpack, Pelaez will help replenish the sprint/back/fly prowess that has helped define NC State in recent years.
Excited to welcome Bella to the #WW ❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/zEd21R5XHn
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) November 11, 2022
Chase 🤝 @packswimdive pic.twitter.com/0ZvoUOtKCW
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) November 11, 2022
Can’t wait to have Maddie join the fam! 🐺 pic.twitter.com/k8NbK1zfHb
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) November 10, 2022
Help us welcome Hudson to the Pack! ♦️ pic.twitter.com/EkeBgwviFx
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) November 10, 2022
Welcome to the #WW family, Tyler! pic.twitter.com/LgQ4PdGdK5
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) November 9, 2022
IT’S OFFICIAL. ✍️ Welcome to the Pack, Mitchell! pic.twitter.com/IBomvIdpOj
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) November 9, 2022
Can’t wait for Will to be in Raleigh! ♦️ pic.twitter.com/DOMtIbhOVZ
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) November 12, 2022
Keelan’s joining the PACK! 💯 pic.twitter.com/1WnpWUvCQL
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) November 12, 2022
Egypt 🔜 Raleigh
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) November 13, 2022
Excited to have Ali join the Pack! pic.twitter.com/OgyCrEccQ4
It’s official. Bayleigh’s joining the Pack! ✍️ pic.twitter.com/Nv2rtSoNJ4
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) November 13, 2022
Welcome to the Pack, Miriam! 🐺 pic.twitter.com/gs7MWTwIPo
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) November 14, 2022
Jerry’s officially joining the #PBG! ♦️ pic.twitter.com/7rLeCoJXun
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) November 15, 2022
Sam 🤝 Wolfpack pic.twitter.com/a0yDmYFC09
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) November 15, 2022
Welcome to the Pack, Teagan!! ❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/2mmWfZHTjq
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) November 15, 2022
Welcome to the Pack, @DavidBetlehem 🐺 pic.twitter.com/iIRKoDx29i
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) January 25, 2023
Betty is joining the Wolfpack women! ❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/SxNnVWZ0g8
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) January 26, 2023
Excited for @elisabethrockef to join the Pack! pic.twitter.com/uWF8J6E318
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) February 7, 2023
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