The Virginia swimming and diving program has added a second three-peat to its repertoire. The women took the ACC title home from Chapel Hill, N.C. Feb. 20, and the men were quick to follow when they seized the crown Saturday.
"To win three in a row and 11 in the last 12 years certainly speaks to our consistency," coach Mark Bernardino said. "We were able to go into North Carolina's pool, and they swam a great meet, and we were able to not only match it but step it up a notch."
Heading into the meet 135 points behind Florida State after the men's diving competition, the team approached the meet expecting a tooth-and-nail battle but finished with 806 points - 149.5 points ahead of second-place North Carolina.
Florida State began the meet in the No. 1 spot on the leader board but lost hold of its lead almost immediately and finished third with 566.5 points.
Because relay races are worth twice as much as individual events, the men's success in the 800-meter free relay, 400 medley relay and 400 free relays added 120 points to the final score.
"Relays are a huge part of what we are trying to do here," Bernardino said. "It says a lot about what kind of team you are if you are able to win relays. We certainly had a lot of good individual performances, as well."
Notable individual performances came from junior Matt McLean who recorded an NCAA 'B' time of 14:56.91 in the 1650 freestyle, followed by junior John Snawerdt at 15:01.31, with junior Taylor Smith and senior Darren Ankosko closely behind.
Senior John Azar closed out his ACC Championship career assisting the winning 400 free relay team to its NCAA 'A' time of 2:52.11 and added 16 points to the scoreboard when he touched in at 1:57.87 in the 200 breaststroke to claim third place.
Most extraordinary were the performances of junior Scot Robison in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle races, as well as four of the winning relays. Robison did not finish ahead of just his competitors in some of the events; he finished ahead of anyone in conference history when he set ACC and meet records in both the 100 and 200 freestyle. Robison maintained his title in the 100 free coming in at 42.58 and set league and meet records in the event with a prelim time of 42.42 earlier in the day.
"I know the key was the work I have been doing, training-wise, all year long," Robison said. "When it came time for the meet, I just tried to race with a clear mind. I had already done all the work, I just need to jump in and do what I had been working to do."
Robison earned a Most Valuable Swimmer title for his accomplishments, the second year in a row the title has been claimed by a member of the Virginia men's team and the second time this year that it was won by a Cavalier. Freshman Lauren Perdue earned the honor for the women last week, and McLean set the standard on the Most Valuable Swimmer podium last year.
"Scot is phenomenal," senior Eric Olesen said. "You know when he jumps in the water that no one is going to beat him. It's great having that person you can depend on every meet, every race. We are lucky to have Scot on our team."
Olesen finished his experience at the ACC Championships on a high note, as well. After a heartbreaking loss his first year, the past three championship wins have proven what his team is capable of to him.
"It feels great," Olesen said. "We were able to avenge [our loss in 2007], showing as well as establishing our dominance. Even in their home pool, we are still the fastest in the conference."
The men's and women's teams next will gear up for the NCAA Championships, which begin March 18.
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