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Cavaliers Finish 10th at NCAA Championships
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Virginia men’s swimming team finished in 10th place at the 2010 NCAA Championships, which wrapped up Sunday in Columbus, Ohio. It marks the first time the men’s program has recorded back-to-back top-10 finishes at the NCAA meet.
“It is very important to be consistent,” Virginia head coach Mark Bernardino said. “In order to move forward, you have to be consistent, and for that, it was a very positive outcome.”
The Cavaliers finished with 123 points. Texas won the national title with 500 points; California was second (469.5) and Arizona placed third (387).
It was the second consecutive year the Virginia men have tallied with a top-10 finish at the NCAA meet. The squad placed ninth, the best in school history, in 2009. It also was the third top-10 finish for the program; the 2003 Cavaliers also finished 10th.
Virginia concluded the NCAA Championships with eight national accolades, including all five relays. Three of those relays – the 800 free, 400 medley and 200 free – were All-America honorees with top-8 finishes.
Two Cavaliers – seniors John Azar and Eric Olesen – concluded their collegiate careers at these championships.
“Eric has been an unsung hero for this team,” Bernardino said. “He has been the leadoff leg of our medley relay team for several years and is a vital part of our sprint freestyle relay. He is a tough kid with a great heart.
“John is one of the most valuable swimmers we have ever had in our program,” Bernardino continued. “He does everything and I am really proud of him. He brings spirit and energy to the team and is a great leader.”
The 400 free relay team of Scot Robison, Peter Geissinger, Azar and Matt McLean won the consolation race in 2:52.16 to finish ninth overall and earn honorable mention All-America honors.
“Scot got us out to a nice lead, Peter had a spectacular split and John and Matt brought it home,” Bernardino said. “We took first place on the last event of the season and that relay really proved where it belongs.”
Robison also earned honorable mention All-American honors after his 12th-place performance in the 100 free. The Charlotte, N.C., native finished in 43.07 and was fourth in the consolation finals.
“Scot gave us big points tonight,” Bernardino said. “He just does more for the team than for himself. His leadoff split in the relay would have made him a finalist but when you get three guys behind him he turns into Superman and is a totally different swimmer.”
2010 Men’s NCAA Championships
Team Standings – Top 10
| 1. Texas | 500 |
| 2. California | 469.5 |
| 3. Arizona | 387 |
| 4. Stanford | 369 |
| 5. Florida | 364 |
| 6. Auburn | 277.5 |
| 7. Michigan | 204 |
| 8. Georgia | 143 |
| 9. Ohio State | 136.5 |
| 10. VIRGINIA |
123 |
Virginia’s 2010 All-Americans
Individuals
Scot Robison, Junior
200 Free – 4th
100 Free – 12th (HM)
Matt McLean, Junior
500 Free – 10th (HM)
Relays
800 Free Relay – 4th
Matt McLean, John Azar, Scot Robison, Taylor Smith
400 Medley Relay – 7th
Eric Olesen, Tom Casey, Peter Geissinger, Scot Robison
200 Free Relay – 8th
Scot Robison, Peter Geissinger, Eric Olesen, John Azar
400 Free Relay – 9th
Scot Robison, Peter Geissinger, John Azar, Matt McLean
200 Medley Relay – 16th (HM)
Eric Olesen, Tom Casey, Peter Geissinger, John Azar