Wolfpack Alumni Make a Splash at the Paris Olympics

Grant Johnston ’95, ’03 MA reconnects with fellow NC State Swimming & Diving Team alumni at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

August 10, 2024 rhyoung 4-min. read

Former swim and dive team members — Grant Johnston (far right) with fellow swimming alumni at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Left to right: Sid Cassidy, former professional marathon swimmer and current chairperson of the FINA Open Water Swimming Technical Committee; David Fox, 1996 Gold Medalist in the 4x100 Freestyle Relay; Dan Harrigan, 1976 Bronze Medalist 200-meter Backstroke; and Cullen Jones, 2008 Gold Medalist 4x100 meter Freestyle Relay, 2012 Gold Medalist 4x100 meter Medley Relay and double Silver Medalist 50 Freestyle, 4x100 Free Relay.

Grant Johnston’s recent trip to the Paris Olympics was more than just a chance to witness world-class athleticism — it was an opportunity to reconnect with his roots as an alumnus of NC State’s superstar Swimming and Diving team.

While in Paris, Johnston, who graduated in 1995 with degrees in business management and Spanish and later earned a Master of Accounting in 2003, had the chance to cheer on fellow Wolfpack swimming alum Katharine Berkoff, who won a bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke. Johnston wasn’t alone in his support — several other NC State swimming alumni were also there to back the Pack’s latest generation.

Over the years, Grant has remained closely connected to the Wolfpack swimming community. As the team’s graduate assistant in 2002, he was tasked with compiling an alumni database, a project that allowed him to forge connections with former swimmers dating back to the 1950s. Today, Grant maintains those connections and helps organize alumni events, including swim meet socials and reunions — like the one in Paris, which brought together fellow Wolfpack alumni, including some decorated Olympians.

Wolfpack swimming alumni at the Natatorium in Paris. Left to right: David Fox, Grant Johnston, Bill Toler (Chairman & CEO Hydrofarm), and Sid Cassidy.

Bill Toler rocking some Wolfpack gear at the Natatorium in Paris.

Among the alumni in Paris were some notable names in the swimming world: Sid Cassidy, a former professional marathon swimmer and current chairperson of the FINA Open Water Swimming Technical Committee; David Fox, who won gold in the 4×100 freestyle relay at the 1996 Olympics; Dan Harrigan, a 1976 bronze medalist in the 200-meter backstroke; and Cullen Jones, who boasts multiple Olympic medals, including gold in the 2008 freestyle relay and 2012 medley relay and two silver medals in freestyle events.

“Reliving old stories and making new memories never gets old,” Johnston says of the Wolfpack Olympics meetup. “We’ve done this several times: Atlanta ’96, Beijing ’08, London ’12 … we’re already planning for LA 2028! The list of Wolfpack swimming and diving Olympians and medalists continues to grow.”

‘“Reliving old stories and making new memories never gets old.” – Grant Johnston ’95, ’03 MA

The Wolfpack connection has always run deep for Johnston. Growing up in Raleigh, he started swimming at Oak Park Pool and swam competitively for the Raleigh YMCA. When it was time to choose a college, NC State stood out.

“As part of my college decision-making, I took recruiting trips to several schools and found the camaraderie of the NC State team much stronger than all the others. I figured if I’m going to spend 20-25 hours a week training, it should be with a group of fun, driven, supportive and competitive guys and girls,” he says of his decision to join the Pack.

The 1991 Swim Team in the NC State yearbook. (Grant Johnston’s name is misspelled.)

As a member of the Swimming and Diving team, Johnston had the chance to win some hardware of his own. He was part of the team that secured the 1992 ACC Championship — the Wolfpack’s first team championship since 1985. Reflecting on that achievement, he emphasizes, “It wasn’t just about hoisting the trophy, but about the process and sacrifice our team made to win.” This legacy of excellence continues today, with the men’s team recently clinching its third consecutive ACC swimming championship and the 33rd overall for the program.

After graduation, Grant’s involvement with NC State extended beyond the pool. He stays connected to the broader NC State community through social media, alumni events and his roles on the NC State Foundation and Alumni Association boards.

Looking back, Grant says NC State taught him valuable lessons about success, failure and the importance of community, which fuels his enthusiasm for giving back to the university. He’s built a Wolfpack community for life — and it played a huge part in his favorite NC State memory.

“My wedding in October 2022! My roommate and fellow swim team alum David Fox set me up on a blind date with my now-wife Dori Glenn in February 2020 … We wanted our wedding to be a way to thank our family and friends for the impact they’ve had on us. Sixty-five NC State alumni, including 40 swimmers from 1973 to 2003, attended and one of my favorite NC State pictures is with the alums, me and Dori before the last dance,” he says.

Wolfpack roots run deep, indeed.