Following last weekend's intense Atlantic Coast Conference match-ups, the Virginia men's and women's swimming and diveing team will face the Big East's Pittsburgh Panthers Sunday afternoon.
For the past 20 to 30 years, the Panthers have been the number one or two team in the Big East, and historically, Pittsburgh has been ranked among the top 25 nationally. In December, both teams participated in the Princeton Invitational with the Cavaliers sweeping the meet. Over the semester break, however, the Panthers added a couple of international athletes who should make Sunday's meet a real challenge.
"They had an outstanding meet when we saw them at Princeton," Virginia coach Mark Bernardino said. "They are a formidable foe in their home facility. I believe this is the best Pittsburgh women's swim team we have faced in the last six years, and the best men's team we have seen in the last three years. It will be another tough meet that will continue to help us prepare for ACC's."
Once again, the Cavaliers will be at a slight disadvantage because the Panther's conference meet is earlier than the ACC Championships. So, they have already done more speed work and moved into a period of additional rest.
After the men's victory over conference arch rival University of North Carolina last weekend, Bernardino worries that feelings of complacency could hurt the Cavaliers' performances against Pittsburgh. Training this week has been intense, consisting of a considerable amount of speed work and heavy lifting in the weight room.
"It was a great victory, and there was a lot of emotion that went into that meet," Bernardino said. "We were fast in the pool, and that's because we swam with such emotion and such heart. Pitt is going to try and jump us early, get a lead and try and put us down. They need to swim with that same intensity and passion."
For his outstanding performances against Duke and North Carolina, senior John Millen was named ACC Swimming Performer of the Week for the third time this season. He placed first in the 200 freestyle (1:42.14) Friday night and turned in a season best time of 9:07.01 in the 1000 freestyle Saturday afternoon. That same day, he also won the 500 freestyle (4:28.55).
"It's a very difficult accomplishment to achieve, and I am thrilled for him," Bernardino said. "There is no doubt that he had to be the guy this week. His performance last weekend was one of those memorable swims --- it's the kind that his team will never forget, his coaches will never forget and the people who follow this rivalry will remember that swim and the impact that it had on the meet."
Millen is the only male swimmer to win this award multiple times this season, and his victories Saturday were instrumental in handing the Tar Heels their first ACC loss of the year.
"I just went out and tried to help the team," Millen said. "You don't go out with the goal of trying to earn an award like that. Mainly, I was just really glad to help the team when we needed it."
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