NC State’s Simonas Bilis Awarded 2016 ACC Men’s Swimmer of the Year

Wolfpack senior Simonas Bilis has been selected as the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Men’s Swimmer of the Year, one of ten such distinctions announced today by the 2015-16 ACC Swimming & Diving Annual awards.

The Lithuanian native leaves Raleigh, NC with an impressive track record of success in the conference and a large footprint in the NCAA arena. By the numbers Bilis holds seven school records, was crowned ACC Champion 16 times, and amassed 19 All American honors, the most in school history. He exits the ACC as the fastest 50, 100, and 200 freestyler on record and is the fourth swimmer to consecutively repeat the award since Georgia Tech’s Gal Nevo did so in the 2009-2010 season.

Bilis added another feather to his cap in his last showing with the Wolfpack at the 2016 Men’s NCAA Championships. He claimed individual runner-up placements in the 50 free and 100 free with two additional silver finishes on NC State’s 200 and 800 free relays. Bilis’ third individual event, the 200 free, picked up a bronze medal and he capped his collegiate career as a member of the winning 400 free relay.

Justin Ress was voted as the Men’s Freshman of the Year due to his appearances in three A finals at ACC’s and his participation on the NCAA runner-up 800 free relay.

Subsequently, NC State head coach Braden Holloway was designated as the Men’s Swimming Coach of the Year, his third honor in his five year tenure with the Wolfpack.

Dominic Giordano was honored as the Men’s Diver of the Year thanks to his 3-meter gold medal finish earning Pitt their first NCAA title. Giordano’ coach Julian Krug was named Men’s Diving Coach of the Year in turn.