Despite the loss of many major contributors, the Virginia swimming and diving teams hope to make a big splash in their season-opening meet. The Cavs host West Virginia tomorrow at 1 p.m. at the Aquatic and Fitness Center.
The Cavaliers are eager to follow up on last year's success at the NCAA Championships, where the men finished 12th and the women placed ninth.
Ed Moses, the former Cavalier breaststroke superstar, gave up his NCAA eligibility to accept Olympic endorsements. Moses, who will return next semester as a third-year student at the University, earned an individual silver medal in the 100 breast in Sydney and a gold as part of the world record-setting 400-meter medley relay team.
The men's team also lost a pair of senior All-Americans in distance freestyler Austin Ramirez and Doak Finch, who starred in the butterfly and individual medley.
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Yet the men's team still brings a fair amount of experience to the pool. Senior All-American distance freestyler Jamie Grimes finished sixth last year in the 1,500 free at the NCAA Championships. Chris Mousetis, a junior who swims IM and backstroke, is also expected to play a leading role for the men's team.
"On the men's side, we've returned a good team," Virginia coach Mark Bernardino said. "We also have a Top 10 collegiate freshman class. I think we're bringing in a nice blend of experience and youth."
In contrast to the veterans that remain on the men's team, the women's side of the swimming program has less experience. The Cavs lost seven senior All-American women: Emily Carrig, Rebecca Cronk, Emily Trakas, Julie Gehm, Kori Forster, Meg McCubbins and Sharon Riedlinger.
The Cavs will rely heavily on Cara Lane, who won the 1,500 free at NCAAs last year, and fellow sophomore Mirjana Bosevska, who finished fourth in that event and also represented Macedonia in Sydney.
"First and second years basically make up our team now," Lane said. "Their role is going to be huge."
"With the first meet of the season, it's hard to know exactly what to expect," Bernardino said. "We're looking to compete and be the best we can. We're focused on how fast we swim and how well we swim, and we'll let the scoreboard take care of itself."
Virginia is beginning the new season on slightly uncertain terms, but the swimmers are looking forward to the meet nonetheless.
"Since it's our first meet, we are mainly focusing on training," Grimes said. "We're just excited to actually be swimming and getting the season started"
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