Senior Jess Lewis' numerous successes in the pool for Virginia swimming and diving may not be her most important contribution to the team. Lewis currently ranks among the all-time top 10 in the Virginia record-books in the 50 free (seventh), 100 free (fourth) and 200 free (third). She is also a member of three relay teams that have posted record times -- the 200 free relay (third), the 400 free relay (fourth) and the 800 free relay (fourth). Nevertheless, the accomplishment she is most keen to talk about is being the 2007-08 women's team captain.
"One of my goals since the beginning was to become a captain, and I am really happy that that is the direction that my swimming career took," Lewis said. "I am able to put as much of me as I can into swimming each and every day, and one of the ways I do that is by being a captain."
Veteran leadership has been of the utmost importance, considering the 27-person women's team is comprised of 11 freshmen and seven sophomores. From day one, team unity has been one of Lewis' priorities. She said she made sure the team reached out to the incoming freshman last summer, and she consciously decided to distinguish girls by class as little as possible.
"Jess is a young lady that has shown tremendous maturity over her four years here, and I am very proud of how she has grown as a leader and assumed the mantle of leadership," Virginia coach Mark Bernardino said. "She works with all the athletes and is very tuned into the individual needs -- both emotional and physical -- of her teammates."
With Lewis leading the charge, what was once touted as a rebuilding year for the Cavalier women has turned into a successful season. Back in January, Virginia handed then-No. 10 North Carolina a definitive loss, outscoring the defending conference champions 191-109.
"Jess has a good handle on what and how to make the women keep their composure and swim well and do the things that they need to do to be successful both in and out of the pool," Bernardino said.
Having knocked off the Tar Heel women once, the Cavalier women are poised to take the ACC Tournament crown for the first time since 2004.
"At the top of my list is an ACC Championship -- getting a ring would be awesome," Lewis said. "It is one of the goals I have had these past four years. Coming in as a first-year I heard all the stories of winning ACCs but have never experienced it. Hopefully this year is the year for everything to come together and have everyone perform on key at the same time and be on point."
Lewis will travel to Atlanta for the conference meet as the reigning 200 free ACC Champion. While she intends to defend her title, she remains focused on swimming well in both the 200 and the 1500 free in the hopes of bringing Virginia one step closer to the ultimate goal -- team victory.
Although Lewis said she recognizes just how impressive her achievements in the freestyle stroke are, she still prefers to view them in the context of the entire Cavalier tradition.
"I hope that I inspire others to be on those lists and maybe one day even knock me off," Lewis said. "I hope that the tradition of U.Va. excellence in swimming continues to be great, and I am very proud to be a part of it now. A number of the girls I am on the team with this year are also on those lists, proving it is a growing tradition of excellence."
While she admits she will not miss early morning practices, Lewis already speaks nostalgically of her time at Virginia and of the privilege of being a part of Virginia swimming and diving.
"What I will miss most is being a part of such a close-knit group," Lewis said. "I do not think I will ever find that again any other time in my life"
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