Virginia Men Set For ACC Championships

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia men’s swimming and diving team will look to defend its 2008 Atlantic Coast Conference championship this week in College Park, Md. Ranked 14th in the nation, the Cavaliers are the highest-ranked school in the ACC. The event begins Wednesday and runs through Saturday at the Eppley Recreation Center Natatorium on the Maryland campus. Finals of all events will be broadcast live for free on ACC Select and live stats of all sessions will be available through VirginiaSports.com.

In 2008, Virginia won the conference meet with 833 points to top the second-place Tar Heels (560) and third-place Seminoles (524).

In addition to defending the team title, the Cavaliers will look to defend four relay titles (200 medley, 800 free, 400 medley and 400 free) and four return to defend their individual titles. A year ago, Matt McLean won both the 500 and 200 freestyle races, while John Azar claimed the 200 IM and Pat Reams took the 200 fly.

Pat Mellors and Ryan Hurley also return this year after not competing at the 2008 ACC Championships. Mellors is a three-time winner in both the 200 and 400 IM.

Cavaliers who lead the conference with top times this year include sophomore Scot Robison in the 100 free (43.36), McLean in the 500 free (4:16.91) and the 1650 free (14:47.82), Hurley in the 200 breast (1:57.29) and Lee Robertson in the 200 fly (1:46.45),

During the dual meet season, Virginia posted a 9-2 record, with the team’s only setbacks on the road to Tennessee and Florida. The Cavaliers were a perfect 5-0 in dual meets against ACC schools with wins over Clemson, Virginia Tech, Florida State, North Carolina and Duke.

Competition will begin Wednesday evening with the 200 medley relay and the 800 free relay. The men’s championships will take place from February 25-28 in College Park.

2009 Men’s ACC Championships
Schedule of Events
Feb. 25-28

Wednesday, Feb. 25
Finals – 6 p.m.
200 Medley Relay
800 Free Relay

Thursday, Feb. 26
Prelims – 11 a.m.
500 Free
200 IM
50 Free

Finals – 7 p.m.
500 Free
200 IM
50 Free
200 Free Relay

Friday, Feb. 27
Prelims – 11 a.m.
400 IM
100 Fly
200 Free
100 Breast
100 Back

Finals – 7 p.m.
400 IM
100 Fly
200 Free
100 Breast
100 Back
400 Medley Relay

Saturday, Feb. 21
Prelims – 11 a.m.
200 Back
100 Free
200 Breast
200 Fly
1650 Free

Finals – 7 p.m.
1650 Free – Final Heat
200 Back
100 Free
200 Breast
200 Fly
400 Free Relay