800 Freestyle Relay Team Sets ACC Record

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. Virginia’s 800 freestyle relay team of John Azar, David Karasek, Scot Robison and Matt McLean shattered the Atlantic Coast Conference record with a time of 6:15.02 as the Cavaliers opened the 2009 ACC Championships Wednesday in College Park, Md. The meet is being held at the Eppley Recreation Center Natatorium.

With two events in the books, Virginia leads the 10-team field with 74 points. Georgia Tech is second (72) and Florida State is third (66).

UVa’s 800 free relay time of 6:15.02 is the fastest in the event in the NCAA this season. Auburn previously had the best time (6:18.15, set at SEC Championships last week). The previous conference, school and meet record was set in 2008 when Azar, Robison, Darren Ankosko and McLean clocked a mark of 6:22.93.

“It was an exceptional performance and was a little bit beyond where we thought I might be,” Virginia head coach Mark Bernardino said. “My main hope is that we will be able to continue that kind of swimming throughout the rest of the meet. No question that was a very impressive relay. Each and every guy was outstanding.”

The Cavaliers took second in the 200 medley relay, the opening event of the meet. The team of Eric Olesen, Ryan Hurley, Lee Robertson and Peter Geissinger teamed up to finish with an NCAA B time of 1:26.12, just .12 behind first-place Georgia Tech.

“Our medley relay was outstanding,” Bernardino continued. “Georgia Tech did an outstanding job and they deserve the credit. They have a tremendous breaststroker and we just couldn’t hang with that leg, but I am still thrilled with the time.”

Day two of the ACC Championships continues Thursday with preliminaries scheduled for 11 a.m. ACC Select will provide live video streaming of the championships starting at 5:15 p.m. There is no charge to watch the webcasts. ACC Select coverage will continue Friday at 5:15 p.m. and Saturday at 7 p.m.

“We have to get a good night’s rest and start to do some mental preparation,” Bernardino said of preparing for day two. “We’ll talk about our strategies. I think we are really fit and I feel really good about that.”

Day two of the ACC Championships continues Thursday with preliminaries scheduled for 11 a.m. ACC Select will provide live video streaming of the championships starting at 5:15 p.m. There is no charge to watch the webcasts. ACC Select coverage will continue Friday at 5:15 p.m. and Saturday at 7 p.m.

Live results from the championships are available by clicking here.