Virginia Sweeps 200 Freestyle at ACC Championships
Story Links
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – Senior David Karasek led a 1-2-3 Virginia sweep Friday in the 200 freestyle to highlight day three at the 2012 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships in Christiansburg, Va.
Virginia was able to take the lead following the final event of the evening, the 100 backstroke. Through 14 events, the Cavaliers have accumulated 406 points for a slim lead over second place North Carolina (394) and third place Virginia Tech (387.5) with one day remaining.
Karasek won his second event of the championships with a victory in the 200 freestyle, clocking a NCAA ‘B’ time of 1:34.72. He was followed by teammates and All-ACC honorees Tom Barrett (1:36.20, ‘B’) in second and Parker Camp (1:36.46, ‘B’) in third. Karasek won his first career individual conference title Thursday night in the 200 individual medley.
“Traditionally, I have always thought of myself as a sprint freestyler and never really did anything over the 100,” Barrett said. “But after tonight I may have to rethink that. I couldn’t have asked for a better result in the final and to sweep the podium with two of my brothers made it that much sweeter.”
Senior Peter Geissinger also collected all-conference honors with his second place finish in the 100 butterfly. He touched in 46.81, a NCAA ‘B’ qualifying standard. Junior Matt Murray was 13th overall out of the consolation heat in a ‘B’ mark of 48.25.
“I went faster this year but I give credit to (Virginia Tech’s Greg) Mahon,” Geissinger said. “He took it out fast and his underwaters were great. I tried my best and didn’t quite get it. I’m not overly disappointed with the swim but I never like to lose. I am swimming well overall and I am excited about tomorrow.”
Junior Matt Houser turned in a fourth-place finish in the 400 individual medley (3:49.44, ‘B’) to lead three Cavaliers in the final heat. Freshman David Ingraham (3:50.73, ‘B’) took sixth and sophomore Nathan Hart (3:57.98) was eighth.
Out of the consolation final of the 400 individual medley, sophomore Jan Daniec placed 11th overall (3:53.66, ‘B’) and junior Nick Montes de Oca (3:55.30, ‘B’) was 13th.
Sophomore Taylor Grey was seventh in the 200 breaststroke with a ‘B’ mark of 54.80. Junior Tom Casey finished 15th overall swimming in the consolation final; he touched in 55.74.
The 100 backstroke marked the final event of the session. Murray and junior Brady Fox both had solid showings to place fourth and fifth, respectively. Murray finished in a time of 47.93 and Fox tallied a mark of 48.09; both were NCAA ‘B’ standards. With a combined 29 points earned in that race, the Cavaliers were able to jump UNC for the lead.
In the first event of the day, the 400 medley relay, Virginia had touched second overall but was later disqualified.
“It’s all about coming through adversity,” Geissinger said. “That relay DQ was huge and it took a ton of points off. With diving added in tomorrow we will be trailing. The 200 freestyle really helped us build momentum and gave us the confidence for a gut-check. We have to do that and show up tomorrow.”
Day four of the ACC Championships continues at 11 a.m. Saturday with preliminaries in the 200 backstroke, 100 freestyle, 200 breaststroke and 200 butterfly. Timed finals of the 1650 freestyle will also begin prior to the evening session.
2012 ACC Men’s Swimming & Diving Championships
Feb. 22-25 | Christiansburg, Va.
After 14 Events
1. VIRGINIA
406 2. North Carolina
394 3. Virginia Tech
387.5 4. Florida State
353 5. NC State
254.5 6. Duke
190.5 7. Georgia Tech
183 8. Clemson 181.5 9. Maryland
148 10. Boston College
64 11. Miami (diving only) 27