Full Meet Results: PDF | AP Text

CARY, NC – The 2023 4A State Swimming & Diving Championships were once again quite a show, with four all classification State Meet Records falling and an additional three 4A State Meet Records going by the wayside. 

The Myers Park women’s team earned their second straight state title, powered by the swimming of Kiley Wilhelm. Wilhelm was selected as the Most Outstanding Performer for the meet, winning gold in the 100 Backstroke and the 100 Butterfly. She powered to the wall in 51.20 seconds in the 100 Butterfly, earning a win in the 100 Backstroke with a time of 53.27 seconds. 

Wilhelm also took part in two victorious relay teams, swimming the third leg of the 200 Medley Relay with Kayman Neal, Avery Klamfoth and Sofia Plaza as they set a new all classification State Meet Record with a time of 1:42.10. The Mustang Medley Relay displaced the previous record of 1:42.20 set by Leesville Road’s quartet of Anna Carrigan, Ashley McCauley, Amanda Ray, and Grace Countie in 2018. Wilhelm led off the 400 Free Relay, combining with Grace Tuchi, Juia Pou, and Neal to touch in 3:24.60 and win the event to round out their night.

Of note in the women’s meet, Hough’s Grace Rainey downed the all classification State Meet Record in the 100 Breaststroke, winning the race in 1:00.27. Her effort eclipsed the previous State Meet Record of 1:00.35 set by Parkwood’s Kaylee Hamblin in 2021.

Providence men were the team state champions on the men’s side, edging Marvin Ridge by a 203-192 count in the final team scoring. Ben Delmar was the lone Panther to win an individual event, earning gold in the 200 Individual Medley posting a time of 1:48.78.

Broughton’s Wells Walker was the star of the men’s meet, earning Most Outstanding Performer honors while breaking two 4A State Meet Records himself and helping the Broughton 400 Free Relay team topple the all classification State Meet Record. Walker won the 50 Freestyle in 20.19 seconds, shaving three hundredths of a second off his 4A Meet Record time in the prelims and out-touching Ashley’s Sean Setzer. Walker also collected the 100 Freestyle gold, winning the event with a time of 44.64 seconds which tied the 4A State Meet Record prior to his morning prelim swim in the event. Walker swam the prelims in 44.57 seconds to break the 4A Meet Record set in 2017 by Broughton’s Jack Messenger who swam the distance in 44.64 seconds.

Walker led off the 400 Free Relay for the Caps, teaming with Gus Wiggins, Wilson Tuttle, and Clem Camacho to touch in 3:03.63 and eclipse the all classification State Meet Record of 3:04.31 set by the 2022 quartet from Green Hope, Landon Lloyd, Colin Whelehan, Brian Farrell, and Michael Cotter.

Marvin Ridge started the meet off with a shot of excitement as the Maverick 200 Medley Relay team comprised of Charles Heisig, Jordan Willis, Troy Keen, and Michael Rice combined to take down the all classification record for the event. The Maverick squad raced to a time of 1:32.20, shaving four hundredths of a second off the previous state meet record set by Green Hope’s 2020 team of Colin Cotter, Michael Cotter, Jesse Ssengonzi, and John Satterfield.

One other 4A State Meet Record fell as Grayson Nye from Middle Creek was victorious in the 100 Breaststroke. He posted a time of 54.13 seconds, trimming the previous record of 54.47 seconds set by Hough’s Will Chan in 2017.

The NCHSAA is committed to promoting good sportsmanship at all athletic events and has partnered with the North Carolina Farm Bureau to present the NC Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Awards to two athletes from each NCHSAA Championship Event. The 2023 4A Swimming & Diving Women’s Sportsmanship Award Winners were Sarah Dichak from Charlotte Catholic and Kiley Wilhelm from Myers Park. The Men’s Sportsmanship Award Winners in 4A were Colin Mumford from Marvin Ridge and Hayden Stallings from Providence.