2017 NCS Awards Banquet: Recap

The 2017 NCS Awards Banquet on Saturday night, Sept 23, at the McKimmon Conference Center in Raleigh capped off a full day of activities for NC Swimmers and their families. In the morning, over 70 senior athletes attended an Athlete Workshop at NC State that featured Ceallach Gibbons of USA Swimming and coach Gary Taylor of NC State.

In the afternoon Olympic Gold Medalist Anthony Ervin conducted a clinic for over 50 NCS All Star swimmers before hustling to a meeting with NCS coaches and then serving as special guest speaker at the banquet.   A crowd of over 300 athletes, parents, coaches, and officials were on hand for an autograph session, to listen to Ervin’s inspiring words, and to recognize the accomplishments of some of NC Swimming’s top athletes and coaches.

Current NC State swimmer, Justin Ress, who swam the second fastest time in the world this year in the 50 back and who recently earned three Gold medals at the World University Games, was on hand as the recipient of the Willis Casey Award.  That award was presented by his former coach at the Marlins of Raleigh…and the 2017 NCS senior coach of the year, Paul Silver.

Award caps and towels were presented to NCS Top Five swimmers and NCS All Star swimmers in attendance. Listed below are several special awards that were also presented.