Virginia Earns Sweep at North Carolina Saturday
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Jan. 21, 2017
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CHAPEL HILL, N.C.-The Virginia swimming and diving teams swept North Carolina Saturday afternoon (Jan. 21) at Koury Natatorium in Chapel Hill, N.C. The Cavaliers won 21 events.
The No. 5 Virginia women (6-0) defeated the Tar Heels, 173.5-121.5, while the No. 13 Cavalier men (5-1) took down UNC, 170-130. It is the first time since 2013 that UVA’s men defeated North Carolina.
“This was a strong day for our teams,” UVA head coach Augie Busch said. “We were significantly better than yesterday in most areas and I credit our focus as the main reason. The men and women were on a mission today and it showed from the moment they walked on the pool deck. I am proud of their effort. We’re looking forward to racing some of the best swimmers in the country next weekend at NC State.”
Virginia started and ended the day strong, winning three of the four relays outright (women’s 200 medley and 400 freestyle and men’s 200 medley) and tying for the win in the men’s 400 free relay.
Senior leadership was once again a big key to the victories, as Cavalier fourth-years touched first in nine individual events. Leah Smith (Pittsburgh, Pa.) won the women’s 200 free (1:46.43), 500 free (4:46.35) and 1,000 free (9:38.38), while Laura Simon (Simmern, Germany) swept the women’s breaststroke events, taking the 100 in 1:01.09 and the 200 in 2:12.78. Kaitlyn Jones (Newark, Del.) won the women’s 200 fly (1:55.89) and the 200 IM (2:00.15), while Matt Lockman (Charlottesville, Va.) and Austin Quinn (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) picked up wins in the men’s 50 free (20.47) and 200 IM (1:49.52), respectively.
The Virginia freshman class won seven events, with Ted Schubert (Ashland, Va.) sweeping the men’s butterfly events, including the 100 (48:50) and 200 (1:47.21). UVA swept the 100 free events, with Morgan Hill (Olney, Md.) winning the women’s race in 50.03 and John Whiteside (Fairfield, Conn.) taking the men’s (45.15). Joe Clark (Worcester Park, Great Britain) captured the men’s 100 back (47.58).
Other UVA winners included junior Caitlin Cooper (Atlanta, Ga.) in the women’s 100 back (55.86), redshirt sophomore Brendan Casey (Santa Monica, Calif.) in the men’s 200 back (1:46.10) and sophomore Sam Magnan (Bethlehem, Pa.) in the men’s 1,000 free (9:09.77).
In diving, freshman Bryce Shelton (Vienna, Va.) placed second on men’s 1-meter (332.18) and 3-meter (371.03), while sophomore Kylie Towbin (New Canaan, Conn.) was second on women’s 3-meter with 327.45 points and fellow sophomore Kirsten Parkinson (Stamford, Conn.) was second on women’s 1-meter with 280.35 points.
“We had a very good showing by our divers today,” UVA head diving coach Jason Glorius said. “We really improved upon yesterday’s results and put together some clean lists.”
The Cavaliers return to action next weekend when they compete at NC State on Jan. 28 at 4 p.m.