World Junior Champs Semi-Finalist Vassiliki Baka Joins Wolfpack

The NC State Wolfpack continues to grow, this time with Greek sprinter Vassiliki Baka. She was a finalist at the 2014 European Junior Championships, and just this summer swam a lifetime best in the 50m free to finish 12th at the World Junior Championships in Singapore. Baka also finished 19th in the 100 free and 36th in the 200 free.

Baka’s Top Times (converted to SCY)

  • 25.99 (22.69)
  • 56.47 (49.43)
  • 2:03.59 (1:48.45)

Just for some perspective, Baka’s 50 and 100m freestyle times are under American Olympic Trials cuts.

Baka has the potential to be a huge boost to NC State, who graduates 2015 ACC 50 free champion Riki Bonnema after this season. The Wolfpack won both sprint free relays at ACCs last year, though all but one of their 200 free relay legs will have graduated before Baka gets to campus.

At last year’s ACC Champs, Baka would’ve made it back in B finals for the 50, 100, and 200 free. Provided that she can transfer her long course prowess over to the small pool, Baka will likely help out on all of NC State’s free relays.

NC State is a program on the rise, with their women starting to pull in top-end commitments like their men’s team. The women brought in a whopping 11 freshmen this season, and have also added Brooke RubendallMackenzie Glover, and Ky-lee Perry.

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panagiotis
9 years ago

way to go vassiliki….

About Karl Ortegon

Karl Ortegon

Karl Ortegon studied sociology at Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, graduating in May of 2018. He began swimming on a club team in first grade and swam four years for Wesleyan.

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