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Feb. 19, 2013

2013 Women’s ACC Championships
Date Wednesday-Saturday Feb. 20-23
Location Greensboro, N.C. | Greensboro Aquatic Center
Coverage Live Results | Live Video (Thur-Sat finals)
Additional Information Twitter | Facebook | Schedule of Events

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.—The No. 11 Virginia women’s swimming and diving team will compete for its sixth consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Wednesday to Saturday (Feb. 20-23) at the Greensboro Aquatic Center in Greensboro, N.C. This will be the first conference meet to be held at a neutral site.

The men’s divers, including UVa’s sophomore JB Kolod and Carl Buergler, will compete this week as well in the 1-meter, 3-meter and platform diving events.

The ACC Digital Network will broadcast the finals on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Links to the free live video and live results will be available and linked through VirginiaSports.com.

“Physically, we’ve trained well and prepared well,” UVa head coach Mark Bernardino said. “Our athletes’ bodies are ready, willing and capable of swimming fast. One of the great challenges in sport, and in swimming in particular, is getting the mind as willing and as able as the body. Hopefully, their minds are as strong as their bodies and when they get in tough situations and close races, they will have the mind, heart and soul to do what they need to do to be a successful team.”

In 2012, the Cavaliers won their fifth consecutive ACC title with 848 points. North Carolina was second (615) and Florida State took third (460). Five Cavaliers won six individual events, including Lauren Perdue who will be looking to become the third Cavalier to win an event four years in a row in the 100 free. Virginia also took home four relay victories.

Virginia completed its dual meet season undefeated for the second consecutive year. The Cavaliers went 9-0 overall and 3-0 in ACC meets with wins over Duke, North Carolina and Virginia Tech.

The Cavaliers are the highest ranked team in the ACC at No. 11 in the latest College Swim Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) poll. North Carolina is No. 15, while Florida State is ranked No. 22. NC State received votes in the poll.

“I think they are four teams that have a chance to be extraordinarily competitive at this meet,” Bernardino said. “Of those four, whichever team has the best chemistry is going to be team that wins. Physically and athletically, there is very little difference (between the teams).”

Seven women were honored with ACC weekly awards this season. Perdue, junior Rachel Naurath and freshman Courtney Bartholomew were honored in the fall, while sophomore Ellen Williamson and freshman Katie Warburg earned weekly honors on Jan. 22 for their efforts against ACC rivals North Carolina and Duke. Junior Caroline Kenney was honored Jan. 29 for her performances against Wisconsin and Virginia Tech and freshman Natalie Martin took home last week’s honors for her Cavalier Invite swims.

The action gets started Wednesday at 6 p.m. with the 200 medley relay and 800 free relay. The men’s ACC Championships will be held in Greensboro Feb. 27-March 2.

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