Cavaliers Defeat Wildcats at Home

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams defeated Kentucky in a dual meet Saturday at the Aquatic and Fitness Center. The Cavalier men earned a 165-125 while the women beat the Wildcats 172-110.

Freshman Lauren Perdue won three events for the second consecutive meet, touching first in the 50 (23.06), 100 (50.30) and 200 freestyle events (1:48.39). Teammate Liz Shaw picked up victories in the 200 fly (2:00.19) and the 400 IM (4:18.85, B), which was exhibitioned.

Matt McLean also finished the meet with a NCAA ‘B’ cut in the 200 free as he finished first in 1:38.09. He also led the Virginia with a victory in the 500 free (4:26.48) in front of teammate David Karasek (4:36.73).

“There were a few individuals who swam well – Lauren Perdue, Matt McLean, and Liz Shaw – I was especially happy with her IM swims,” Virginia head coach Mark Bernardino said. “Anne Summer Myers really had a nice day; Christine Olson remains steady for the women. I thought Scot Robison also did a nice job.”

Olson, a freshman, led the Cavaliers to a 1-2-3 finish in the 200 breast as she placed first with a time of 2:17.82 followed by Katherine McDonnell (2:20.22) and Myers (2:21.37). Olson also placed first in the 100 breast (1:04.10) followed closely by McDonnell (1:05.12) who took second.

Senior Mei Christensen won both the 100 back (54.69) and 100 fly (55.00) for the women while classmate John Azar claimed first-place honors the 100 breast (57.00) and 200 breast (2:03.82) for the men.

Other event winners for Cavalier women included Myers in the 1000 free (10:03.23, exhibitioned), Lauren Smart in the 200 back (1:59.56) and Jen Narum in the 500 free (4:55.41).

Other event winners for the men were Taylor Smith in the 1000 free (9:17.52), Eric Olesen in 100 back (50.86), Dan McMahon in the 200 fly (1:51.84), Robison in the 100 free (44.46), David Wren in the 200 back (1:50.74) and Darren Ankosko in the 400 IM (4:00.90, exhibitioned).

The men’s 200-yard medley relay team of Olesen, Azar, Robison and Geissinger also took first-place honors, touching in 1:31.89.

Senior Alex D’Ambrosio also took first place on the 1-meter board, earning a score of 279.00.

“We are going to try to make some corrections in pacing and racing in practice,” Bernardino said. “I think we have to get a little tougher mentally, so we are going to do some things that make us better both physically and mentally.”

The Cavaliers return to action Nov. 20-21 in a two-day meet at Penn State.