Based on the prelims this morning Virginia positioned them very well claiming the top three spots in the 200 free. Tonight was a big night for the Cavaliers on its push for another ACC title. The 200 free proved to be a vital race for them as they took the top three spots. Virginia Tech had a solid night with two wins and many finalists. Once again the relay featured a new school atop the podium with NC State took the first event of the night.
400 Medley Relay
Four relays down, four different relay champions. This time the foursome of Ivan Kopas, Ian Bishop, Barrett Miesfeld, and Jonathan Boffa from North Carolina State take the win in 3:10.90. Again it was a come from behind win for the Wolfpack who edged Virginia by .06. However, the Cavaliers suffered an early take off from their second swimmer to take a disqualification in the race. Boffa highlighted the race with a swift 42.22 to close out the race for NC State.
Virginia Tech took second in 3:11.08. Charlie Higgins posted the fastest backstroke leg in 47.13 and Greg Mahon recorded the best butterfly leg in 45.83.
The Duke Blue Devils took third in 3:12.02. University of Bridgeport (DII) transfer Piotr Safronczyk was the only breaststroke under 53 recording a 52.48.
400 IM
North Carolina’s Tom Luchsinger took the lead after the backstroke and never looked back claiming the title in 3:46.91. The win picked up valuable points for the Tar Heels on their bid to win the conference championships for the first time in 14 years.
Florida State continues to swim well here taking second and third. Last night’s 200 IM champion Mateo De Angulo finished in 3:47.53 while teammate Juan Sequera went 3:49.09.
In the team title picture Virginia had three finalists who placed fourth, sixth, and eighth. Along with Lichsinger’s win UNC took fifth as well. Florida State’s second and third finish helps keep them in the hotly contested team race.
100 Fly
Virginia Tech’s Greg Mahon picked up his first individual conference title a night after claiming his first relay title. After a solid 150 in the 200 IM last night before falling off the pace at the end it was finally Mahon’s turn to take a win in 46.55.
Virginia’s Peter Geissinger took second in 46.81. As the lone Cavalier in the race Virginia needed a solid swim from the senior to stay in the within reach as they geared up for a big 200 free coming up next.
The Hokies continue to impress here in their home pool as Mahon’s teammate Karl Botha took third in 46.93.
200 Free
Virginia continues its dominance in the 200 freestyle as the Cavaliers took the top three spots with senior David Karasek taking the win in 1:34.72. Using a big third 50, Karasek outdistanced himself on the field to claim the event by nearly one and a half seconds over teammate Tom Barrett.
Barrett overtook teammate Parker Camp down the stretch to finish in 1:36.20, matching his prelim time. Camp took third in 1:36.46.
The Wolfpack of NC State matched Virginia with three finalists, continuing to make a statement as a program on the rise.
100 Breast
It was the two-time defending Division II champion Piotr Safronczyk who moved up to the Division I ranks to take an ACC title in 53.61. The Duke Blue Devils claimed its first win in the event since 1980. Duke claimed three finalists’ slots with Jim Zuponeck finishing fourth and Hunter Knight took eighth.
Virginia Tech continues to have an impressive evening taking second and third. Nathan Hoisington took second in 54.58 while Nevin Cook claimed third in 54.73. The Hokies third finalist Emmett Dignan finished sixth as well.
100 Back
Virginia Tech takes its second title of the night as Zach McGinnis claims the backstroke in 46.79. The junior Hokie led the race from start to finish moving Virginia Tech into third place in the team race by the end of the session.
Clemson’s Chris Dart took second in 47.02. Fellow Hokie Charlie Higgins was third in 47.08.
The Virginia men come back to take the lead by 12 over North Carolina. Virginia Tech is right behind in third with Florida State not yet out of the picture in fourth. Tomorrow’s preliminaries will be vital for all teams with everyone needing solid swims to take the title.
- Virginia 406
- North Carolina 394
- Virginia Tech 387.5
- Florida State 353
- NC State 254.5
- Duke 190.5
- Georgia Tech 183
- Clemson 181.5
- Maryland 148
- Boston College 64
- Miami 27