Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG, Va. - The H2Okies announced the men and women’s Virginia Tech Swimming and Diving 2008-09 schedule. Tech will host five home meets this season, including the Grand Opening Gala at the Christiansburg Aquatic Center to close out the season.
"We are looking forward to facing strong programs throughout the ACC along with exceptional teams that have excelled at a high level,” said head coach Ned Skinner. “The fall schedule, that concludes in Knoxville, should provide some great competition at their new facility."
Both H2Okie teams will kick off the season at the annual Alumni v. Varsity Relays on Oct. 4, 2008, at the War Memorial Pool.
Tech kicks off the regular season on Oct. 25 hosting North Carolina State and West Virginia on October 25. On Oct. 29, the H2Okies travel to Charlottesville, Va. to compete against in-state rival Virginia in dual meet action.
After hosting its second meet of the season against Clemson on November 8, Tech will have consecutive away meets at the Volunteer Invitational in Knoxville, Tenn., Nov. 19-22 and will take part in the Holiday Training festivities in Ft. Lauderdale. Fla., Dec. 30-Jan. 18, 2009.
The H2Okies will come back to Blacksburg on Jan. 24 to race against ACC rival Georgia Tech along with UNC Wilmington. At the meet, seniors James Aitken, Ian deToll, Ben Miller, and John Riley will be honored on the men’s side, while Claire Dickey, Stephanie Jones, Allison Luttermoser, Jordan McHorney, Megan Newell and Sara Smith will be credited for their accomplishments in a pre-meet ceremony. The parents of the student athletes will be recognized during the formal presentation as well.
The Tech women will conclude the season on the road against Pittsburgh on January 31, before competing at the ACC Championships, Feb. 18-21 in College Park, Md.
The H2Okie men will compete in the meet at Pittsburgh prior to its last dual meet against Maryland on Feb. 6. Tech will take part in the ACC Championships in College Park, Md. on Feb. 25-28.
Head diving coach Ron Piemonte and his squad of divers will travel the NCAA Zone B Diving Championships in Knoxville, Tenn., on March 13-15.
Both the H2Okies men and women’s team will travel to College Station, Texas to take part in the NCAA Championships. The Tech women will take to the pool on March 19-21, with the men swimming on March 26-28.
"Our focus is to peak at the ACC championships,” said Skinner. “The progression of our meets allow for the team to rest and focus on the championship meets in February and at the NCAA Championships in March."