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How NC State swimming did at the U.S. Championships: An American record and more

image_6483441 (3)by:Noah Fleischman•06/09/25•

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Katharine Berkoff
Jun 5, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, UNITED STATES; Katharine Berkoff swims in the women’s 50 meter backstroke at the Toyota National Championships swimming meet at Indiana University Natatorium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

NC State swim and dive is no stranger to elite competition. The Wolfpack is consistently ranked inside the top 10 on both the men’s and women’s sides, so when its swimmers went to the U.S. Championships in Indianapolis, elite finishes were expected.

And the Pack delivered. 

NC State as a team finished in second place, paced by the women’s third-place mark during the five-day event at the University of Indiana’s natatorium. The Wolfpack qualified a pair of swimmers for the World Championships in Singapore with top-two place finishes, which NC State coach Braden Holloway will be in charge of next month. 

Former Wolfpack star Katharine Berkoff, a 16-time All-American during her time in Raleigh, continued her dominance among American women in the backstroke. She won the 50-meter backstroke final in 26.97 to become the first American woman to ever go under 27 seconds in the event, while Berkoff added a second-place finish in the 100 backstroke (58.13). 

“I’m definitely really happy with it,” Berkoff said on Peacock after setting a new American record. “My goal was to go under 27, so I’m super excited about that.”

The two-time Olympic medalist from last summer’s games will compete in both backstroke events at the World Championships. 

Rising redshirt junior Quintin McCarty, meanwhile, was the lone NC State male swimmer to make the World Championship team as he won the 50 backstroke (24.34). He also placed fourth in the 50 free (21.79) and 12th in the 100 free (49.02). 

While the Wolfpack only qualified a pair of swimmers for Team USA, recent senior Olivia Nel made the South African team with a second-place finish in 100 free (55.46) at her country’s championship. Additionally, rising sophomore Arsen Kozhakhmetov qualified for Team Kazakhstan by winning his country’s 50 breaststroke (27.90) and a second-place finish in 200 breaststroke (2:16.27). 

Full NC State results from the U.S. Championships

MEN RESULTS:
Quintin McCarty — 1st in 50 back (24.34), 4th in 50 free (21.79), 12th in 100 free (49.02)
Daniel Diehl – 3rd in 100 back (53.35), third in 200 back (1:55.08), 10th in 200 IM (1:59.60)
Lance Norris – 5th in 1,500 free (15:11.46), 6th in 800 free (7:55.85)
Hudson Williams — 7th in 100 back (54.25)
Aiden Hayes – 9th in 100 fly (52.05), 15th in 50 fly (23.97)
Drew Smalls – 11th in 50 free (22.26)
Gavin Keogh – 11th in 200 back (1:58.72)
Kyle Ponsler – 13th in 400 IM (4:21.52)
Jerry Fox – 14th in 100 free (49.31)
Wells Walker – 16th in 50 free (22.59)
Chase Mueller – 16th in 400 free (3:56.45)
Arsenio Bustos – 16th in 100 fly (53.47)

WOMEN RESULTS:
Katharine Berkoff – 1st in 50 back (26.97, AMERICAN RECORD), 2nd in 100 back (58.13)
Leah Shackley – 3rd in 100 back (58.60), 3rd in 200 back (2:06.66), 5th in 100 fly (58.22), 7th in 50 fly (26.38)
Kennedy Noble – 5th in 200 back (2:08.04), 7th in 100 back (59.34)
Cassie Moses – 12th in 50 free (25.04)
Erika Pelaez – 12th in 100 back (59.95)
Lily King – 13th in 50 free (25.07)

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