Claire Curzan Leads Virginia Women Over Virginia Tech; Brendan Whitfield Stars for Hokie Men
The University of Virginia, aiming to win a fifth consecutive national title in women’s swimming, traveled to Virginia Tech Saturday for dual-meet competition. The Virginia women won 201-87 while the Hokie men came out on top of the Cavaliers by a 157-104 margin.
Claire Curzan remains one of the dominant swimmers in college swimming, as evidenced by her performer against the Cavaliers’ in-state rival. Curzan led off a victorious 200 medley relay team that also included Leah Hayes, Carly Novelline and Madi Mintenko; the group’s final time was 1:36.20. Curzan also won the 100 backstroke (50.25) and 200 back (1:51.00) Saturday, and she anchored Virginia’s 200 medley relay in 21.23, teaming with Lawson Ficken, Novelline and Mintenko to win in 1:29.06.
Anna Moesch, who has emerged as a national-title contender in the freestyle events this season, doubled with wins in the 200 freestyle (1:42.77) and 50 free (21.58). Also winning two events was Hayes, who went 1:01.03 in the 100 breaststroke and 1:57.68 in the 200 IM. Two-time Olympian Katie Grimes finished first in the 1650 free in 15:53.20 while Lana Pudar was first in the 200 butterfly (1:55.88). Emma Weber won the 200 breast (2:11.35) and Mintenko finished atop the 500 free (4:45.85). Sara Curtis was first in the 100 fly (52.53), and she recorded a 21.22 50 free relay split at the end of the meet.
Virginia Tech’s Emily Claesson won the 100 free (48.78) while Grace Austin won 1-meter diving (272.40) and teammate Peyton Guziec was first on 3-meter (288.53).
Virginia Tech’s men began the day with Connor Johnson, Eli Martin, Tanish George Mathew and Javier Nunez winning the 200 medley relay in 1:25.16. Martin was first in the 100 breast (51.93) and 200 breast (1:57.38). Brendan Whitfield continued his stellar season with a winning mark of 1:33.42 in the 200 free, and he returned to sweep the sprint events as well, going 19.12 in the 50 free and 42.43 in the 100 free.
Levente Balogh got the win in a tight 200 back (1:42.39), and Jakub Poliacik topped the 500 free (4:18.69). In diving, VT’s Nathan Cox had the top score on 1-meter (359.40) while Jacob Fisher was superior on 3-meter (346.95). In the 200 free relay, Whitfield led off in 19.02 and was joined by George Mathew, Nunez and William Hayon in a 1:17.23 victory.
Virginia’s men got wins from Thomas Heilman in the 200 fly (1:42.36) and 100 fly (45.77). Dillon Wright topped the 1650 free (15:21.44) while Spencer Nicholas took first in the 100 back (46.36). Maximus Williamson put up a time of 1:44.51 for first place in the 200 IM.
