Virginia Swimmers Sweep Weekly ACC Accolades

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Nov. 2, 2004

GREENSBORO, N.C. – University of Virginia swimmers Katy Bland (Raleigh, N.C./Leesville) and Luke Anderson (Charlottesville, Va./Bolles School) have been selected as the Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s and Men’s Swimming and Diving Performer of the Week, respectively, as announced Monday (November 1). For Bland, it is the first ACC Performer of the Week honor, while Anderson garners the men’s award for the seventh time in his career.

Bland, a second-year, helped lead the 20th-ranked Cavalier women to a pair of victories last weekend, including a 129-108 upset victory at 12th-ranked Penn State on October 30. UVa also defeated ACC rival Clemson 136-99 at home on October 31 to improve to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in the conference.

Bland won all six races she participated in during Virginia’s two dual meet wins. Against Penn State, she clocked NCAA B qualifying times in both the 100 freestyle (51.06) and 200 freestyle (1:50.03) events. Versus Clemson, Bland recorded a winning time of 24.07 in the 50 freestyle. She also swam legs on three Cavalier winning relays.

Anderson, a fourth-year, led the 12th-ranked Virginia men to two dual meet wins last weekend. The Cavaliers defeated Penn State 138-103 on October 30 and ACC rival Clemson 132-100 in Charlottesville on October 31. UVa stands at 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the ACC.

Anderson won five races in Virginia’s two dual meet victories. The All-American sprinter posted an “NCAA B” qualifying time in the 100 freestyle (44.78) against Clemson. He also won the 200 free (1:39.35) vs. the Tigers and won both events by more than two seconds. Against Penn State, Anderson took first place in the 100 freestyle (44.86). He also swam legs on a pair of UVa winning 400 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay.

The Virginia men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams return to action on Friday and Saturday, November 5-6 when they compete in Purdue’s Boilermaker Challenge in West Lafayette, Ind.