February Feature Series: Cullen Jones

In honor of Black History Month, every Friday, the Technician will feature a famous African-American athlete from N.C. State.

Cullen Jones was born on Feb. 29, 1984 in New York. Shortly after, his family moved to Irvington, N.J., where he first became interested in swimming. After much success in high school, Jones enrolled at N.C. State in 2002 and began his legacy as a swimmer.

As a freshman, Jones anchored the 200 medley relay, the 15th fastest in the nation. He led the team with the fastest 50 freestyle and in the ACC won the consolation finals of the 100 freestyle. In his sophomore season, Jones competed in the NCAA championships after winning the ACC in both the 50 and 100 freestyle. He finished the season with 12 first-place finishes and placed in the top-five a total of 16 times.

By the conclusion of his junior year, there was no shortage of the name "Cullen Jones" in the ACC record books. Jones was an All-ACC selection and anchored the Wolfpack's ACC Champion team in the 200 medley relay. His success reached outside the conference, as he finished 13th at the NCAA Championships in the 50 freestyle, earning All-American honors. His time of 19.47 was the 12th fastest time in the nation in 2005 and the fourth fastest time in school history.

Jones captured three more conference championships his senior season: in the 200 medley and 50 and 100 freestyle, respectively. He received All-American honors for the third time and was ACC Swimmer of the Year and ACC Meet MVP. Jones is perhaps the most successful swimmer ever to attend N.C. State, as he holds four of the top-10 50 freestyle times in school history.

Away from N.C. State, Jones became the first African-American to break a swimming world record in an Olympic contested event at the Pan Pacific Games in 2006. During the same year, Jones also competed in the 50 freestyle at the U.S. Nationals. His winning time of 21.94 was the fastest in the world in 2006 at the time.

Jones' most remarkable swim came in 2008, when he took home Olympic gold in Beijing. The victory reached beyond the record books as Jones was only the second African American to win a gold medal in swimming. The win was in the 4x100m freestyle with Michael Phelps, Jason Lezak and Garrett Weber-Gale. The relay was accomplished in a world record time of 3:08.24 and is best remembered by Phelps outreaching Serbian swimmer Milorad Cavic in the relay's final milliseconds.

Out of the pool, Jones works closely with the community. He gives motivational speeches, puts on swim clinics and occasionally does private lessons. Jones also works with USA Swimming's Make a Splash foundation, which educates parents and helps children learn to swim.