2024 WOLFPACK ELITE INVITE
- November 21-23, 2024
- Greensboro Aquatic Center – Greensboro, NC
- 9:30 am ET prelims/5:30 pm ET finals
- Participating teams: Arizona, Arizona State, Army West Point, Duke, NC State (host), Northwestern, Virginia Tech
- Live Results: “2024 Wolfpack Elite GAC Invitational” on Meet Mobile
- Live Results
- Live Stream
- Day 1 Prelims Recap
- Day 1 Finals Recap
Day 2 of the Wolfpack Elite Invite is almost underway and with five events on the schedule this morning, it promises to be a busy and exciting day for racing.
After taking 2nd in the 200 IM last night, NC State’s Lisa Nystrand will take on the 400 IM this morning, where she is currently the #2 seed behind Deniz Ertan.
Ilya Kharun is always a big name to watch, and he will take on a double today in the form of the 100 fly and 100 back. The ASU sophomore is currently ranked #1 in the NCAA in the 100 fly and sits at #5 in the 100 back.
NC State freshman Leah Shackley is also set up for a double this morning, entered as the top seed in both the 100 fly and 100 back. She has already made quite a splash in her debut collegiate season, ranked 2nd in the NCAA in the 100 back and 4th in the 100 fly.
Women’s 400 IM – Prelims
- NCAA Record: 3:54.60, Ella Eastin (STAN) – 2018
- 2025 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 4:03.62
- 2024 NCAA Cutline: 4:10.74
- Lisa Nystrand (NCS) – 4:12.33
- Sonia Vaishnani (ASU) – 4:16.43
- Charli Brown (ASU) – 4:16.48
- Katherine Helms (NCS) – 4:17.28
- Ella Guilfoil (ASU) – 4:17.34
- Martina Peroni (Duke) – 4:17.43
- Kyra Sommerstad (Duke) – 4:17.68
- Caroline Sheble (NCS) -4:17.70
Nystrand took it out strong in the prelims of the 400 IM, posting a time of 4:12.33, which is just over a second off of her best time. Despite a number of other competitors turning in faster splits on the freestyle leg, Nystrand had the fastest splits across the board in the all three of the other strokes, gaining such an edge that she claimed the top spot heading into finals by four seconds.
Vying for the runner-up spot behind her were ASU teammates Sonia Vaishnani and Charli Brown, whose times were just .05 apart. Vaishnani’s time of 4:16.43 was not far off of her best time of 4:13.07, while Brown’s performance of 4:16.48 was a bit further off of her best. The pair should be set up for an exciting race in finals tonight.
Leading a pack of 4:17s was NC State’s Katherine Helms, who secured the 4th spot heading into finals with a time of 4:17.28, dropping nearly a second from her entry time to record a new season best.
The remaining for qualifiers for the top eight followed in quick succession, with only .42 separating Helms from teammate Caroline Sheble in 8th (4:17.70). Sheble’s swim marked a season best performance for her by nearly five seconds, as she had previously posted a time of 4:22.67 against ASU.
Men’s 400 IM – Prelims
- NCAA Record: 3:28.82, Leon Marchand (ASU) – 2023
- 2025 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 3:38.37
- 2024 NCAA Cutline: 3:42.93
- Michael Hochwalt (ASU) – 3:45.55
- Daniel Diehl (NCS) – 3:46.79
- Daniel Matheson (ASU) – 3:46.92
- Charlie Bufton (NCS) – 3:46.96
- Owen Lloyd (NCS) – 3:47.02
- Kyle Ponsler (NCS) – 3:47.15
- Diego Nosack (NU) – 3:48.28
- Simon Bermudez (NCS) – 3:49.20
The men’s 400 IM saw another series of close swims, with several of the top eight qualifiers being mere hundredths away from each other.
Leading the charge to secure the top spot was ASU freshman Michael Hochwalt, who recorded a time of 3:45.55, narrowly off of his season best time of 3:45.33 from two weeks ago. As the only swimmers in the field to go under 3:46, Hochwalt is heading to the finals with a little over a one second lead.
NC State proved to be a dominant force in this event, as the team landed five swimmers in the top eight. Daniel Diehl secured the runner-up spot heading into finals with his time of 3:46.79. Not far behind him was teammate Charlie Bufton, who placed 4th with his time of 3:46.96.
Sliding in between the two Wolfpack teammates was ASU’s Daniel Matheson, posting a time of 3:46.92 to drop nearly two seconds off of his season best (previously a 3:48.89).
Setting up another close race for this evening, NC State teammates Owen Lloyd and Kyle Ponsler turned in times of 3:47.02 and 3:47.15, respectively. Lloyd’s performance marked a season best by three seconds, while Ponsler was about a second off of his.
Women’s 100 Fly – Prelims
- NCAA Record: 47.42, Gretchen Walsh (UVA) – 2024
- 2025 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 50.52
- 2024 NCAA Cutline: 51.88
- Leah Shackley (NCS) – 51.42
- Erika Pelaez (NCS) – 52.25
- Julia Ullmann (ASU) – 52.99
- Lily Christianson (NCS) – 53.35
- Nikki Venema (NU) – 53.46
- Athena Meneses Kovacs (VT) – 53.60
- Emily Claesson (VT) – 53.82
- Molly Donlan (Duke) – 53.94
Shackley held onto her top spot in the 100 fly this morning, throwing down a time of 51.42 and becoming the only swimmer in the field to go sub-52. Out in a 24.08, her time was a few tenths off of her season best time of 51.08 that she just set against the University of Georgia two weeks ago.
Teammate Erika Pelaez secured the runner-up position heading into finals with her time of 52.25, exactly two-tenths off of her lifetime best. She had the 2nd-fastest splits after Shackley, opening in a 24.39.
The only other swimmer to split a 24 on the opening 50 was ASU freshman Julia Ullmann, who opened in a 24.51 before posting a total time of 52.99. Ullmann recently set a personal best time of 52.05 in a tri-meet against Cal and Stanford, with her swim this morning a bit further off of her best.
The freshman class dominated this event this morning, as NC State freshman Lily Christianson took 4th behind Ullmann in a time of 53.35, nearly a second faster than her entry time and a season best.
Meanwhile Northwestern’s Nikki Venema just missed securing a season best performance, as her time of 53.46 was just .04 off of her season best from two weeks ago.
Men’s 100 Fly – Prelims
- NCAA Record: 47.42, Gretchen Walsh (UVA) – 2024
- 2025 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 50.52
- 2024 NCAA Cutline: 51.88
- Ilya Kharun (ASU) – 44.37
- Youssef Ramadan (NCS) – 45.64
- Filip Senc-Samardzic (ASU) – 45.67
- Luke Miller (NCS) – 45.79
- Haakon Naughton (ARIZ) – 45.93
- William Hayon (VT) – 46.03
- Mario Molla Yanes (VT) – 46.05
- Tommy Palmer (ASU) – 46.05
Kharun cruised into the top spot in a time of 44.37, marking a slight drop off from his lifetime best time of 43.95 that he set earlier this season. Out in a 20.60, he was the only one in the field to split sub-21 on the opening lap and the only one to go sub-45.
Claiming the runner-up spot and leading a charge of swimmers turning in 45s was Virginia Tech’s Youssef Ramadan, who posted a time of 45.64, just .02 off of his season best.
Following in close succession was ASU’s Filip Senc-Samardzic (45.67), NC State’s Luke Miller (45.79) and Arizona’s Haakon Naughton (45.93). Senc-Samardzic and Miller were both slightly off of their season bests, while Naughton shaved nearly a second off of his, which was previously a 46.75.
Women’s 200 Free – Prelims
- NCAA Record: 1:39.10, Missy Franklin (CAL) – 2015
- 2025 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:42.60
- 2024 NCAA Cutline: 1:44.80
- Annabel Crush (NCS) – 1:44.79
- Emma Atkinson (VT) – 1:46.60
- Emily Claesson (VT) – 1:46.96
- Alexa Reyna (ASU) – 1:47.40
- Tatum Wall (Duke) – 1:47.64
- Sydney Smith (NU) – 1:47.98
- Grace Monahan (NCS) – 1:48.11
- Yi Xuan Chang (Duke) – 1:48.19
The prelims of the 200 free saw a number of personal best times recorded across the board.
NC State’s Annabel Crush turned in a tremendous swim, throwing down a time of 1:44.79 to record a new lifetime best time. She dropped .2 from her previous best of 1:44.99, set back in 2022. Crush’s performance bumps her up to #11 on the NCAA ranking in the event.
Virginia Tech’s Emma Atkinson also enjoyed a top performance, posting a time of 1:46.60 to secure a new season best by over two seconds. Just behind her came teammate Emily Claesson, whose time of 1:46.96 marked a new lifetime best by .3. She previously had a best time of 1:47.26 from the ACCs in February.
Also turning in a personal best time was ASU’s Alexa Reyna, who set a new PB for the first time in two years by over a second with her time of 1:47.40.
Men’s 200 Free – Prelims
- NCAA Record: 1:28.81, Luke Hobson (TEX) – 2024
- 2025 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:31.21
- 2024 NCAA Cutline: 1:32.93
- Tomas Lukminas (ARIZ) – 1:32.22
- Ralph Daleiden Ciuferri (ARIZ) – 1:32.85
- Tiago Behar (ASU) – 1:33.54
- Kaii Winkler (NCS) – 1:33.79
- Patrick Sammon (ASU) – 1:33.89
- Quin Seider (ASU) – 1:34.13
- Jonny Kulow (ASU) – 1:34.28
- Jerry Fox (NCS) – 1:34.39
Arizona’s men top the top eight qualifying list for the first time this meet, securing the #1 and #2 seeds heading into finals.
Tomas Lukminas landed the top spot after throwing down a personal best time of 1:32.22. The new PB comes just two weeks after setting his previous best time (1:33.95) against USC and marks a significant time drop for him. He now ranks 4th overall in the NCAA.
Teammate Ralph Daleiden also enjoyed a top performance, recording a new season best by two seconds with his time of 1:32.85, which is only a few tenths off of his lifetime best.
Another notable performance came from ASU freshman Quin Seider, whose time of 1:34.13 marked a new lifetime best for him less than a month after setting his previous best (1:34.82) in a meet against NC State.
NC State’s Jerry Fox recorded a new season best performance with his time of 1:34.39, shaving .12 off of his previous time from just two weeks ago.
ASU’s Tiago Behar was just .04 off of his season best with his time of 1:33.54, setting himself up for a strong swim in finals this evening.
Women’s 100 Breast – Prelims
- NCAA Record: 55.73, Lilly King (IU) – 2019
- 2025 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 58.01
- 2024 NCAA Cutline: 59.75
- Kaelyn Gridley (Duke) – 59.20
- Aubree Brouwer (NCS) – 59.87
- Iza Adame (ASU) – 1:00.41
- Lisa Nystrand (NCS) – 1:00.73
- Eleni Gewalt (ARIZ) – 1:00.83
- Zoe Summar (ASU) – 1:01.00
- Emma Gehlert (ASU) – 1:01.16
- Lily Christianson (NCS) – 1:01.52
The women’s 100 breast saw two swimmers post sub-1:00 showings in the prelims. Duke’s Kaelyn Gridley, already ranked #1 in the NCAA in this event, turned in a time of 59.20, about half a second off of her personal best time of 58.58 that she posted against South Carolina earlier this season.
Not far behind her was NC State’s Aubree Brouwer, who threw down a 59.87 to record a new season best by nearly a second. Her time was also just half a second off of her lifetime best.
Leading a series of 1:00s in quick succession was ASU’s Iza Adame; she took the #3 spot heading into finals with a time of 1:00.41, just .21 off of her personal best set earlier this season.
Coming back after her preliminary victory in the 400 IM, Nystrand’s performance in the 100 breast landed her as the #4 seed heading into finals. Her time of 1:00.73 was only .33 off of her lifetime best that she set against ASU about a month ago.
Also competing in her second event of the day was Christianson, who edged her way into the final by securing 8th in a time of 1:01.52. She remained in top form following her earlier race, posting a time of 1:01.52, which is less than .3 off of her personal best time in the event.
Men’s 100 Breast – Prelims
- NCAA Record: 49.53, Liam Bell (CAL) – 2024
- 2025 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 51.02
- 2024 NCAA Cutline: 51.89
- Carles Coll Marti (VT) – 52.47
- Andy Dobrzanski (ASU) – 52.48
- Arsen Kozhakmetov (NCS) – 52.78
- Tavner Wisdom (ARIZ) – 53.03
- Sam Hoover (NCS) – 53.07
- Daniel Young (ARIZ) – 53.15
- Tyler Lu (NU) – 53.39
- Kohen Rankin (Army) – 53.44
The men’s 100 breast is shaping up to be another tight race tonight, as just .97 separates the top qualifier and the 8th-place qualifier.
Virginia Tech’s Carles Coll Marti led the way with his time of 52.47, about .86 off of his season best time of 51.61 from back in early October. Just .01 behind him was ASU’s Andy Dobrzanski, who was also a little off his season best (51.92).
NC State sophomore Arsen Kozhakmetov proved to be in top form, posting a time of 52.78 and shaving .02 off of his previous lifetime best. He rounded out the group of swimmers who turned in 52, while Arizona’s Tavner Wisdom led a series of 53s in quick succession after him.
Wisdom’s time 53.03 marked a significant season best time, dropping over a second from his previous time of 54.19 set just two weeks ago. NC State’s Sam Hoover landed just .04 behind him, taking the 5th spot heading into finals.
Northwestern’s Tyler Lu recorded a season best time, posting a 53.39 to place 6th heading into finals and dropping .73 from his previous season best.
Women’s 100 Back – Prelims
- NCAA Record: 48.10, Gretchen Walsh (UVA) – 2024
- 2025 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 50.66
- 2024 NCAA Cutline: 52.28
- Leah Shackley (NCS) – 50.85
- Kennedy Noble (NCS) – 51.21
- Ali Pfaff (Duke) – 51.48
- Erika Pelaez (NCS) – 51.50
- Carmen Weiler Sastre (VT) – 52.18
- Caroline Bentz (ASU) – 52.80
- Clare Logan (Duke) – 53.57
- Molly Donlan (Duke) – 53.98
Shackley continued to demonstrate her prowess in the pool, securing the top spot heading into finals in the 100 back with a time of 50.85. Just over .6 off of her season best, her race marked the only swimmer in the field to go sub-51 this morning.
Following Shackley in the runner-up spot was teammate Kennedy Noble, who added about .4 to her season best with a time of 51.21.
Duke’s Ali Pfaff qualified 3rd and just managed to land a new season best time of 51.48, shaving .18 off of her previous time of 51.66 that she set against South Carolina in late October.
Virginia Tech’s Carmen Weiler Sastre almost tied her personal best time, posting a time of 52.18 and missing it by just .01. She recently set her PB of 52.17 at the SMU Classic in October and will likely be chasing that mark in finals tonight.
Duke freshman Clare Logan recorded a top performance, turning in a time of 53.57 to shave over half a second off of her previous season best time of 54.15.
Men’s 100 Back – Prelims
- NCAA Record: 43.35, Luca Urlando (UGA) – 2022
- 2025 NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 44.48
- 2024 NCAA Cutline: 45.56
- Youssef Ramadan (VT) – 45.19
- Johnny Crush (Army) – 45.76
- Lucien Vergnes (ASU) – 46.08
- Hudson Williams (NCS) – 46.09
- Jono Adam (ASU) – 46.45
- Stuart Seymour (NU) – 46.59
- Jack Wadsworth (ASU) – 46.73
- Ryan Hadry (ARIZ) – 47.24
The morning session concluded with several more top performances in the men’s 100 back. Ramadan, who was already ranked 10th in the NCAA, threw down a time of 45.19 to record a season best and climb to the #3 spot on the rankings. Taking the race out in a 21.51, he was the only one in the field to split sub-22.
The only other swimmer to post a 45 this morning was Army freshman Johnny Crush, who turned in a season best of 45.76 to secure the runner-up spot heading into finals. Taking it out in a 22.00, Crush had the 2nd-fastest split in the field and is now tied for 11th on the NCAA rankings. His performance marked a 1.2 second drop, bumping him up all the way from 43rd.
ASU’s Jono Adams threw down a personal best time of 46.45, shaving .3 off of his previous time set earlier this season. Also posting a lifetime best was Northwestern’s Stuart Seymour, who turned in a time of 46.59 to improve his time by .13.
Rounding out the top eight qualifiers was Arizona’s Ryan Hardy, enjoyed a strong performance that saw him turn in a time of 47.24 and drop over 1.5 seconds from his previous season best.
