In sports, experience is everything. It is the factor that overcomes the jitters and fears of big-stage performance. The defending ACC-champion Virginia women's swimming and diving team is ready to prove to the conference that it can capitalize on experience.
The women's ACC Championships, which begin today and last through Sunday, are slated to be held at Georgia Tech's facilities in Atlanta. The Virginia women will attempt to win their third consecutive ACC championship, and sixth overall.
Last year in Charlottesville, the Cavaliers scored a total of 675 points to surpass second-place North Carolina, who tallied 623.5 points. In 2003, Virginia placed first with 710 points to North Carolina's 609.
This year, however, Virginia is not the highest-ranked team entering the championships despite their winning experience. The University of Maryland, ranked No. 12, edged No. 13 Virginia in the polls. The Cavaliers finished 10-2 overall this season and 5-1 in the ACC.
Virginia captain Kate Wrenshall said she knows that Maryland will pose the greatest match-up problems to the defending champions.
"Maryland has a lot of good quality swimmers," Wrenshall said. "They do not have more depth, but a lot of fast girls. We have more depth. It will really be a race about who is 'on' and who is not, and I really think that we will [be]."
The Terps are led by team co-captains Elizabeth Lavell and Megan Knepper, who have both been honored with All-ACC and Honorable Mention All-American accolades.
Virginia lost a nail-biter to Maryland during their regular season contest 119.5-117.5 on Feb. 5. The meet came down to the 400 free relay, which Virginia won, but did not gain the sufficient points to win the meet.
The second most dangerous threat to Virginia's chances of three-peating this year is No. 16 North Carolina. The Tarheels have finished second the past two years to the Cavaliers' ACC titles.
"Normally it is UNC, but they are a little weak this year," Wrenshall said. "They have never gotten lower than second place in the ACC's, and I really think that they are going to this year."
Virginia easily defeated UNC in their regular season meet, 179-119, with strong performances by juniors Katie Gordon and Rachael Burke and freshman Jess Lewis.
Despite their talented opponents, Virginia head coach Mark Bernardino is preparing his team to compete to win.
"A critical performance for us [these championships] is going to be our relay performance because there are a lot of points to be had in relays," Bernardino said. "The winning relay gets a six-point bonus over the second place relay, so, we [spent] a lot of time working on our relay exchanges and our transitions from one athlete to the next. We are trying to strategize in terms of relay placement with what athlete goes first, second, third or fourth."
Experience is a key factor in almost every swimmer hoping to repeat in her respective events.
Rachel Burke was NCAA runner-up last year, and defending ACC champion in a couple of events.
"She is going to be a factor in the distance races," Bernardino said. "Jess Lewis is going to a factor in the sprints and the middle distance freestyles. Katie Bland is a factor in the 200 freestyle. Anna Steenrod is going to be factor in the 200 IM. Katie Gordon is going to make a run at winning titles in the 200 back and the 400 IM. Brielle White is in the 100 back. We have a lot of swimmers who, in my mind, will be fighting for top three positions."
Hopefully, all the top finishes and experience, in addition to all the hard work and preparation, will translate into the third straight ACC title for the Cavalier women's swimming and diving team.
Read More
TILOCK: The real Virginia baseball just stood up
By Xander Tilock | YesterdayThe Cavaliers' chronic issues are dwindling, and underperforming stars are ascending.
Dietrich’s comeback clincher sends No. 7 seed men’s tennis to NCAA quarterfinals
By Margaret Piatos | YesterdayFor the 18th time in 20 years, Virginia is headed to the quarterfinals.
Women’s lacrosse drops heartbreaking rematch to Duke, ends NCAA Tournament run
By Eleanor Buchanan | YesterdayVirginia fell in the second round of the tournament for the second time in a row.
