University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Nike Cup Preliminaries
Carolina Advances Swimmers To Nike Cup Finals
November 18, 2011 | Swimming & Diving
Nov. 18, 2011
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The University of North Carolina men's and women's swimming teams opened Thursday morning's 2011 Janis Hape Dowd Nike Cup preliminaries in fine form, posting impressive times that qualified 37 swimmers for tonight's finals action.
In the women's 500-yard freestyle prelims, Carolina notched five of the top six times, led by sophomore Stephanie Peacock, whose 4:46.23 time eclipsed the next closest challenger by over six seconds. Sophomore Emily Kelly (4:53.57), freshman Danielle Siverling (4:54.03), junior Jackie Rudolph (4:54.34), and freshman Kelsey Cummings (4:54.39), finished third through sixth, respectively, to earn spots in tonight's finals. Meanwhile, sophomore Meredith Hoover (4:56.51) and junior Stephanie Eisenring (4:59.16) are also set to represent the Tar Heels tonight after their times qualified them for consolation finals competition.
Carolina's swimming prowess was likewise on display in men's 500-yard freestyle preliminary competition, as the Tar Heels swept the top four spots. Junior Brett Nagle (4:25.71) led the charge, followed by senior Sean Lane (4:28.32). Senior Wil Singley then placed third (4:28.64) while sophomore J.T. Stilley's 4:30.81 time was good for fourth place. Freshman John Paul Gaylor in sxithplace (4:31.90) and sophomore Dan O'Connor in seventh place (4:33.51) rounded out the Carolina championship finals qualifying group. Freshman Graham Williams (4:37.43) also swam well enough to compete in the nightcap, earning a bonus consolation finals appearance.
In the women's 200-yard individual medley, Carolina continued to roll, taking five of the top six spots, positioning the Tar Heels well for evening action. Junior Katie Nolan (2:01.73) and seniors Laura Moriarty (2:01.78) and Sarah Tanner (2:02.25) placed in the top three, trailed closely by sophomore Cari Blalock (2:02.48) and senior Marie Pesacreta (2:02.95), who finished in fifth and sixth, respectively. Junior Rebecca Brooks (2:03.89) and senior Nuffy Swanson (2:05.81) also boasted competitive times good for consolation finals berths.
The men's 200 IM was equally as exciting with eight Tar Heels qualifying for finals tonight. Freshman Dominick Glavich took home top honors with a 1:49.80 time, followed by sophomore Alex Gianino (1:51.06) in second place and junior Tom Luchsinger (1:51.29) in third place. Wil Singley then placed sixth for Carolina with a 1:52.05 performance. Additionally, the freshmen duo of Patrick Myers (1:53.10) and Tyler Hill (1:53.16) advanced to consolation finals action, while freshman Clifton Gordon (1:53.82) and sophomore Walker Knop (1:53.94) will proceed to the bonus consolation finals.
In women's 50 freestyle sprinting action, freshman Nikki Barczak took the top spot with a 23.32 time. Seniors Sarah List and Candace Cooper will join her in the championship finals tonight with 23.91 and 23.95 performances good for fifth and sixth place, respectively. Siverling also earned her second finals appearance of the night with a 24.04 time, and she will be joined in the consolation finals by teammates Kim Carducci (24.08) and Katie Keel (24.18). Meanwhile, Eisenring (24.47) will represent the Tar Heels in the bonus consolation finals tonight.
In the morning session's final event, the men took to the pool in the 50-yard freestyle. Seniors Steve Cebertowicz and Brad Hamilton earned the chance to represent Carolina tonight in the championship finals. Cebertowicz posted a 20.21 time good for third place, while Hamilton's 20.56 performance was good for sixth place. Freshman Brian McClintock (21.22) and sophomore Kyle Ficker (21.27) will also swim this evening for the Tar Heels as they both qualified for the bonus consolation finals.
The action will resume at Koury Natatorium at 6 p.m. tonight when the finals kick off in day one action at the Janis Hape Dowd Nike Cup.
Players Mentioned
