The streak continues.
It has consisted of 28 consecutive ACC dual meet wins, dating back to 1999. After defeating the University of Maryland 158-78 on Saturday and Duke University 122-106 yesterday, the Virginia men's swim team has added to its run.
After winning 11 of the first 13 events against Maryland, the team swam the last two for exhibition.
En route to victory, fourth-year Luke Anderson swam both the 100-yard and 200-yard freestyle events and won. His 1:37.57 time in the 200-freestyle was his ACC season-best.
The women lost narrowly to No. 13 Maryland by a total of two points in a 119.5-117.5 defeat. The Cavaliers won five of 13 events, but the meet came down to the 400-yard freestyle relay. Though the women won the event, the Lady Terps landed second and third place, giving them just enough points to win the meet.
Against Maryland, the men's and women's swim teams competed with their regular lineups in hopes of gearing up for the stiffer competition in the ACC championship.
Saturday "was our last real buckle-down meet and the chance to get some good swims out," Anderson said.
Though the men readily defeated the Terrapins, Virginia coach Mark Bernardino was not pleased with the women's close meet.
"I think that we lost a very winnable meet against Maryland," Bernardino said. "We had four or five opportunities to win the meet, but we failed to execute -- we failed to do the things that we prepared to do. For me, it is a bit frustrating. I think we had an emotional letdown. We did not bring that same intensity and emotion [we had against other teams] against Maryland."
With a loss, however, come tough lessons.
"It was a disappointing loss [to Maryland], and it wasn't what we were after," Bernardino said. "But, we performed solidly and we made footsteps in the right direction."
In the meet against Duke Sunday, Virginia swimmers participated in events that were not their regular ones.
"Everyone was swimming events that they don't usually swim," Anderson said. Yesterday "was all about fun."
Although scores may indicate otherwise -- 122-106 for the men and 126-102 for the women -- the Cavaliers clinched the meet against Duke early, allowing them to swim exhibitions in the remaining events.
Anderson, who swam strong on Saturday, continued his performance against the Blue Devils with a 55.83 second exhibition win in the 100-yard breaststroke.
For the women freshman Jess Lewis was a double event winner -- she won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:50.80 and the 100-yard free, with a 51.39.
Since they were the last meets of the season, the seniors on the squad had their last chance to stand out for the nationally-ranked Cavaliers.
"Any athlete that competes in any sport for four or five years has my utmost respect," Bernardino said. "They have been wonderful from a work ethic perspective and a leadership perspective. I look forward to seeing them have great ACC championships and, hopefully, great NCAA championships."
Virginia fans hope the leadership and previous successes of the seniors will provide the leadership for further success in the ACC championships in Atlanta.
Read More
Star left tackle Monroe Mills is out for the 2025 season
By Xander Tilock | 13 hours agoVirginia's offensive line depth has thinned.
Women’s lacrosse upsets No. 9 Maryland in One Love benefit game
By Eleanor Buchanan | 15 hours agoVirginia earned a confidence-building victory as the regular season comes to a close.
No. 25 Virginia softball loses in heartbreaking fashion to No. 21 Liberty
By Ben McNiff | YesterdayThis brutal loss continues what has plagued Virginia throughout the entire season — an inability to win on the road.
