Divers Dominate At NC State, Men Win Four Swim Events

Friday, January 15

Raleigh, N.C.

4 PM

North Carolina

NC State

January 15, 2021 | Swimming & Diving

Final Results

RALEIGH, N.C. - The 20th ranked North Carolina men's swimming & diving team won four events, while the 18th ranked women picked up a victory in the 400 freestyle relay at NC State on Friday night from Casey Aquatic Center. The Tar Heel divers won in convincing fashion with the men running away with a 32-6 win, while the women were nearly identical with a 31-7 victory.

The sixth-ranked NC State men came away with a 173-127 victory, while the fourth-ranked Wolfpack women earned a 188-109 win.

Valdas Abaliksta won both the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke events with times of 53.92 and 1:58.29, respectively. Tucker Burhans earned Carolina's first win of the night in the 100 back (48.61), while Boyd Poelke's time of 47.38 won the 100 butterfly event.

UNC's 400 free relay squad of Sophie Lindner, Grace Countie, Emma Lowe and Brieanna Romney touched home in 3:22.53.

The second-place finishes on the women's side included Lindner in the 100 backstroke (53.93) and 200 backstroke (1:55.45), Amy Dragelin in the 200 freestyle (1:50.11), Ellie Vannote in the 200 butterfly (2:01.74) and Countie in the 100 freestyle (48.94).

Poelke was runner-up in the 200 fly (1:46.61). The men also received second-place finishes from Jack Messenger in the 50 freestyle (20.43), Tomas Sungalia in the 100 freestyle (44.62) and Chris Thames in the 200 backstroke (1:47.28).

Carolina dominated the diving portion of the evening. Freshman Aranza Vazquez remains unbeaten since joining Carolina with victories in both the 1- and 3-meter events, while Anton Down-Jenkins score of 418.20 in the one meter is the second best mark in program history. Alex Hart won the 3-meter event with a career best score of 393.75, the eighth best figure by a Tar Heel men's diver.

Carolina returns to the pool next week to host Virginia on Friday at 4 p.m.

1-Meter
1. Aranza Vazquez, 330.45
2. Emily Grund, 289.65
4. Taylor Hockenberry, 221.03

1-Meter
1. Anton Down-Jenkins, 418.20
2. Alex Hart, 349.28
3. Fabian Stepinski, 340.05
6. Connor Watling, 266.40

3-Meter
1. Aranza Vazquez, 355.20
2. Emily Grund, 293.25
3. Taylor Hockenberry, 250.73
6. Paige Burrell, 189.45

3-Meter
1. Alex Hart, 393.75
2. Anton Down-Jenkins, 364.65
3. Fabian Stepinski, 353.85
6. Connor Watling, 276.53