Claire Curzan, Thomas Heilman Among Standouts at Virginia Intrasquad
The Virginia Cavaliers held an intrasquad competition Saturday in Charlottesville, Va., swimming a series of off-distance events in an Orange vs. Blue format. The Orange team came out on top 252-216 while swimmers such as Claire Curzan, Aimee Canny, Thomas Heilman and Maximus Williamson shined.
Curzan picked up a win in the 150 freestyle in 1:14.93, edging out Anna Moesch (1:15.11) and Cay (1:15.76), and she went on to add victories in the 150 backstroke (1:21.59) and 50 butterfly (23.15). Canny, meanwhile, got a chance to shine outside of her specialty mid-distance freestyle races, picking up wins in the 50 breaststroke (27.34), 150 breast (1:33.28) and 100 IM (54.28).
Additionally, Katie Grimes swam a time of 5:40.66 in the 600 freestyle, lowering the team record kept for the intrasquad meet. Grimes came in second in a tight 300 free race with Cavan Gormsen, who touched in 2:44.62 to Grimes’ 2:44.75. Leah Hayes, fresh off two gold medals at the World University Games this summer, topped the field in the 300 IM in 3:02.87.
Sara Curtis, a newcomer to the program who has already been a World Championship finalist for Italy, clocked 22.09 for a win in the 50 free, just ahead of Moesch (22.11) and Bryn Greenwaldt (22.31). Greenwaldt finished first in the 50 back (23.88) while Tess Howley put forth a strong time of 1:24.01 in the 150 fly.
On the men’s side, Heilman posted three victories, all in meet-record time. He clocked 1:08.76 in the 150 free before winning the 150 fly in convincing fashion with a time of 1:13.28. He finished off the day with a 20.75 in the 50 fly. Williamson, another highly-decorated freshman, came in first in the 300 IM in 2:45.44 before adding triumphs in the 50 free (19.87) and 300 free (2:33.58).
Among the returners, it was a big day for David King, who went 5:26.01 for the win in the 600 free and 1:14.30 to win the 150 back. Jay Gerloff was the top breaststroker of the meet, winning the 50 (25.01) and 150 (1:27.03). The 50 back went to Spencer Nicholas (21.81).
