When it comes to competitive swimming, few recent meets have been as electrifying and record-shattering as the one held in Raleigh, where Virginia women and NC State men delivered performances that will be remembered for years to come. But here’s where it gets controversial… while Virginia’s women dazzled with an incredible ten pool records broken, the NC State men showcased their dominance by breaking two pool records and an ACC record. This dual meet, initially planned to span two days, was condensed into a single intense day due to a winter storm, yet the athletes rose spectacularly to the challenge, making it one of the most exciting competitions of the season.
Sweeping Victories and Record Breaks Highlight the Meet
Virginia women and NC State men emerged victorious in their respective categories, with standout performances across the board. The UVA women set a blistering pace, breaking ten pool records, driven by three swimmers who each claimed two records apiece. The meet kicked off with an impressive victory in the women’s 200 medley relay, where Virginia’s ‘A’ team, comprising Sara Curtis, Emma Weber, Claire Curzan, and Anna Moesch, cruised to a time of 1:32.67 — nearly two seconds faster than their ‘B’ relay.
Anna Moesch’s anchor split of 20.82 in this relay marked her fastest ever split, underscoring her exceptional stamina and speed. Notably, freshman Eneli Jefimova from NC State posted the fastest breaststroke split in the field at 26.40 during her team’s ‘A’ relay, which finished third overall in 1:34.61.
Virginia continued their winning streak, setting a new season best of 3:07.62 in the 400 free relay, just shy of Stanford’s top time. Lead-off swimmer Sara Curtis started in 47.13, with Claire Curzan’s 46.45 split on the second leg and anchor Anna Moesch’s 46.39 sealing the victory.
Claire Curzan’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. She not only broke two pool records in butterfly events but also claimed top honors in both distances. Her 200 fly was a season-best 1:51.35, ranking her second nationally this season, and her 100 fly time of 49.13 was just shy of her personal best, earning her the second-fastest time in the country for the season. Her stellar day also included setting another pool record in the 100 fly.
Leading the charge in the distance events was Katie Grimes, who shattered pool records in both the 1000 and 500 freestyle events. Her 9:28.49 in the 1000 free marked her fastest collegiate swim and the fourth-best time nationally this season. Her 4:36.04 in the 500 freestyle set a new season high, leading UVA to a top-three sweep in the event.
Not to be overlooked, Aimee Canny from UVA won three individual titles, including the 200 freestyle, where her time of 1:42.81 set a new meet record. She also set a pool record in the 200 breaststroke and led a top finish in the 200 IM, showcasing her versatility.
Sara Curtis and Anna Moesch also made their mark by breaking the pool record in the 50 free and the 100 free, respectively. Curtis’s 21.37 in the 50 free was her season-best and a new pool record, while Moesch’s 46.40 in the 100 free obliterated the previous record, which was held by a notable swimmer from the past.
Even with Virginia’s remarkable achievements, NC State still claimed victory in three individual events and both diving competitions — although, notably, neither team has a men's diving program, so those points only came from the women’s side. Leah Shackley was a standout in backstroke, winning both distances and narrowly edging out Virginia’s Sara Curtis in the 100 back.
The Men’s Competition: Breakthrough Performances and Record-Setting Feats
On the men’s side, NC State’s Max Carlsen stole the show. The freshman swimmer set two pool records and an ACC record, making headlines with his incredible performances. In the 1000 freestyle, Carlsen posted an eye-popping time of 8:41.12, breaking the previous ACC record and leading a Wolfpack sweep of the top three places. This time ranks him as the third-fastest in the country this season, behind just a couple of elite swimmers.
He continued his record-breaking streak in the 500 free with a new best of 4:11.89, also a pool record, demolishing his previous best by nearly three seconds. Other Wolfpack athletes, like Lance Norris and Aaron Davidson, rounded out the sweep, emphasizing NC State’s overall dominance.
In relay events, NC State’s men excelled, with their 200 medley relay posting a time of 1:23.22, ahead of Virginia. Swimmer Thomas Heilman produced the fastest butterfly split, 19.76, in this relay.
While the NC State men’s team did not secure as many individual titles as Virginia, their collective strength was showcased in relays and specific events. Hudson Williams dominated the backstroke with a 45.79 in the 100 back, leading a sweep for the Wolfpack. In the 50 free, McCarty’s 19.35 narrowly edged out his teammates, making it a sweep for NC State.
Kaii Winkler of NC State won the 100 free in a tight race, just edging out Jerry Fox, and Ian Stutts led a Wolfpack sweep in the 200 breaststroke, highlighting NC State’s consistent excellence across strokes.
Virginia’s standout was Thomas Heilman, who captured both the 200 fly and 100 fly events, adding more points for the Cavaliers. Maximus Williamson secured victories in the 200 free and 200 IM, contributing significantly to UVA's score.
Final Notes and Reflection
This exhilarating meet not only showcased record-breaking performances but also raised important questions about the future of collegiate swimming. While Virginia’s women dominated technically and historically, NC State’s men proved their mettle with breakthrough swims and squad depth. Both teams demonstrated that in intercollegiate swimming, strategy, perseverance, and raw talent all come into play.
Are these record-breaking feats a sign of an evolving standard in college swimming, or are we witnessing a peak that cannot be sustained? Do you believe Virginia's dominance will continue, or will NC State’s rising stars challenge their supremacy next season? Share your thoughts and join the conversation — this meet balances tradition and innovation in the most exciting way.
