Last Friday, Cullen Jones competed in the 50-meter freestyle and came up with the silver medal with a time of 21.54 seconds.  For those who aren’t familiar with Cullen Jones and what he means for NC State, you may want to take a look back at an article we wrote back in April.

Not only does this mean another medal for Jones, adding to his gold from the Beijing Olympics, but it also amounts up to a personal victory, defeating the expected favorite and a former co-competitor in the NCAA.  Cesar Cielo, a former Auburn swimming and 6-time NCAA national champion, is representing Brasil in the 2012 Olympics and already holds the NCAA record times for both the 50 yard and 100 yard freestyle events.  In total, Cesar Cielo holds 1 Olympic gold and 2 bronze.  At the end of the day, Jones would beat his former NCAA rival by 4 hundredths of a second (Cielo’s 50-meter freestyle came in at 21.58 seconds).

In total, Jones has earned 2 silvers in the 2012 Olympics for his 50-meter freestyle and for his part in the men’s 4X100 freestyle relay.  Jones also landed another medal when the men’s team placed first in the 4X100 medley relay.  He did not competing in the final event, but participated in the preliminary event which qualifies him to receive medals with the team.

Cullen Jones has an interesting past and has made NC State proud by not only becoming another student athlete, but by completing his degree and becoming a proud NC State alumni.  Join us in congratulating Cullen Jones in his 2 gold and 4 career Olympic medals.  Go USA and Go State!