
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Swimmers Conclude Competition At NC State Invitational
November 20, 2021 | Swimming & Diving
GREENSBORO, N.C. — The North Carolina swimming and diving team claimed 14 top-five finishes, including five medal placements, over the course of the three-day NC State Invitational at the Greensboro Aquatic Center.
Carolina placed fourth out of 10 teams on the women's side, while the Tar Heel men finished sixth in the nine-team competition. Meet host NC State won the women and men's team championships with Stanford and Duke claiming second and third in the women's competition. Arizona State and Stanford rounded out the top three on men's side.
Caroline Cooper (200 IM), Grace Countie (100 Free), Addison Smith (500 Free) and Ellie VanNote (100 Fly) each claimed a bronze medal in their respective individual events during the women's meet.
Countie and Smith joined Amy Dragelin and Sophie Lindner to claim fifth place in the 800-freestyle relay.
Heidi Lowe and Georgia Nel teamed with Countie and Lindner for a fifth-place finish in the 400-freestyle relay as well.
Countie placed fifth in the women's 100 backstroke individually as did Lilly Higgs in the 100 breaststroke.
Noah Rutberg was the lone member of the UNC men's team to reach the podium, placing third in the 200 IM.
Alex Mays (200 IM) and Tucker Burhans (100 Back) each recorded an individual fourth place finish while Jacob Rauch touched fifth in the 100 breaststroke.
Valdas Abaliksta, Boyd Poelke, Tomas Sungaila and Burhans claimed fifth place in the 200-medley relay.
The Tar Heels will return to action Dec. 1-4 at the U.S. Open Championships in Greensboro.
Carolina placed fourth out of 10 teams on the women's side, while the Tar Heel men finished sixth in the nine-team competition. Meet host NC State won the women and men's team championships with Stanford and Duke claiming second and third in the women's competition. Arizona State and Stanford rounded out the top three on men's side.
Caroline Cooper (200 IM), Grace Countie (100 Free), Addison Smith (500 Free) and Ellie VanNote (100 Fly) each claimed a bronze medal in their respective individual events during the women's meet.
Countie and Smith joined Amy Dragelin and Sophie Lindner to claim fifth place in the 800-freestyle relay.
Heidi Lowe and Georgia Nel teamed with Countie and Lindner for a fifth-place finish in the 400-freestyle relay as well.
Countie placed fifth in the women's 100 backstroke individually as did Lilly Higgs in the 100 breaststroke.
Noah Rutberg was the lone member of the UNC men's team to reach the podium, placing third in the 200 IM.
Alex Mays (200 IM) and Tucker Burhans (100 Back) each recorded an individual fourth place finish while Jacob Rauch touched fifth in the 100 breaststroke.
Valdas Abaliksta, Boyd Poelke, Tomas Sungaila and Burhans claimed fifth place in the 200-medley relay.
The Tar Heels will return to action Dec. 1-4 at the U.S. Open Championships in Greensboro.
Players Mentioned
UNC Field Hockey: Offense Sends Heels Past Cal, 5-1
Saturday, September 20
Tar Heels in the Community pres. by NC Electric Co-ops - WLAX Hospital Visit - Sept. 19, 2025
Friday, September 19
Carolina Insider - Football at UCF Preview (Full Segment) - September 19, 2025
Friday, September 19
Carolina Insider - Interview with Demon June Interview (Full Segment) - September 19, 2025
Friday, September 19