The 2001 ACC Women's Swimming and Diving Championships began yesterday at Virginia's Aquatics & Fitness Center. The results clearly show that the fight for the title will be between No. 9 North Carolina and No. 12 Virginia.
After the first day of competition, Carolina leads with 247 points, and Virginia is a close second with 210 points. Maryland is third with 153.
Virginia was ACC Champion in 1998 and 1999, but the Tar Heels ended the Cavaliers' two-year winning streak, in 2000 in Chapel Hill. This year, North Carolina hopes to follow in Virginia's footsteps by taking home the title for the second consecutive year.
After a strong showing on the first day of competition, North Carolina is in a good position to take the championship.
"We had a good solid day," Carolina coach Frank Comfort said. "We have the potential to be consistent and outstanding in virtually all twenty events."
Last night's finals began with excitement when Maryland surprised the conference with a win in the 200-yard freestyle relay. The Terrapins' team snagged the win from North Carolina by 0.4 seconds, breaking Virginia's ACC and pool records. The Cavaliers' team of Jenna Bridges, Megan Iffland, Lindsey Crane and Megan Roesch placed third.
"We came out and had a really good day, better than expected," senior Megan Iffland said. "I think we shocked a lot of people. We'll definitely be ready to rumble tomorrow."
The Cavaliers came on strong with a one-two sweep in the 500 free. Sophomore co-captain Cara Lane won the event in 4 minutes, 43.55 seconds, breaking the pool record. Lane's time automatically qualified her for the NCAA championship meet. Virginia freshmen Amy Baly, Carlie Dykehouse and Quinn Amesbury placed second, fourth and 11th respectively.
The 200 individual medley was a tight battle. Mirjana Bosevska broke up the Carolina duo of senior Erica Akuff and junior Katie Hathaway by out-touching Hathaway for second place. Akuff won first place and broke her own ACC record. Cavalier freshman Jenna Bridges placed eighth and sophomore Katey Danforth finished 14th.
Carolina sophomore Christy Watkins won the 50-yard free for the second year in a row. Cavaliers Megan Roesch and Iffland placed fifth and seventh, respectively. Sophomore Lindsey Crane placed 11th in the consolation final.
Florida State dominated the one-meter diving competition with a one-two-three sweep led by freshman Chelsie Lerew. Cavalier senior Courtney Colbert placed fourth, and sophomore teammate Alison Sharp placed sixth.
To end the first day of competition, North Carolina won the 400 medley relay. The Tar Heels' team just out-touched Clemson for the win. Virginia's team of Iffland, Bosevska, Dykehouse and Roesch placed fifth.
Competition resumes today and concludes on Saturday.
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