Pelaez, Shackley Lead Wolfpack on Day Three with Multiple All-American Finishes

Friday, March 20

Atlanta, GA

10:00 a.m. (Prelims) | 6:03 p.m. (Finals)

NC State

NCAA Women's Swimming & Diving Championships

Pelaez, Shackley Lead Wolfpack on Day Three with Multiple All-American Finishes

3/20/2026 11:11:00 PM | Swimming

ATLANTA, GA - The NC State Wolfpack women's swimming and diving team concluded its third day of competition at the NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships with another day, highlighted by standout performances from sophomores Erika Pelaez and Leah Shackley.

Pelaez and Shackley each earned a pair of All-American honors on Friday, excelling in both the 100 backstroke and the 400 medley relay.

In the 100 backstroke prelims, both swimmers advanced to the A-final. Pelaez won her heat with a time of 50.15, while Shackley placed third in her heat at 50.06. The duo continued their momentum into the evening session, where Pelaez finished fourth overall in 49.95, securing her second All-American honor in the event. Shackley followed closely behind, placing sixth with a personal-best time of 49.98, good for the third-fastest mark in program history.

The Wolfpack closed out the night with another podium finish in the 400 medley relay. The team of Leah Shackley, Eneli Jefimova, Erika Pelaez, and Olivia Nel placed fourth with a time of 3:24.49, recording the second-fastest performance in program history and marking the team's third relay podium finish of the week.

Morning Recap
NC State carried momentum into Friday's prelims following freshman Eneli Jefimova's national championship victory in the 100 breaststroke the previous evening.

In the 100 backstroke, senior Kennedy Noble added to the team's point total with a 15th-place finish, earning second-team All-American honors. The accolade marks Noble's fourth consecutive All-American honor in the event.

Lily Christianson earned second team All-American honor in the 50 freestyle, securing a personal best in this morning preliminary session with a time of 21.56, moving her into the third fastest time in program history.

Up Next
Heading into the final day of competition, the Wolfpack sits in ninth place overall with 141.5 team points. Saturday's schedule includes the 200 IM, 100 freestyle, platform diving, 200 butterfly, 200 backstroke, and the 400 freestyle relay. Prelims are set to begin at 10:00 a.m., with finals scheduled for 6:03 p.m.

National Champions: