Hokie ClubDURHAM, N.C. - The Virginia Tech swimming & diving teams wrapped up their weekend in North Carolina with wins over Duke. The men’s team dominated, winning by a score of 180-115, and the women’s team also won handily, 175-116.
The swimmers were paced by freshman Klaudia Nazieblo, junior Weronika Paluszek and senior Margaret Parcell, who each won two events for the lady H2Okies. Seniors Morgan Latimer and Collin Higgins led the way for the men, winning two races each. In the diving competition, seniors Kyle Butts and Kaylea Arnett both picked up a pair of victories. In all, Tech had 22 total first-place finishes on their way to two big wins over their ACC counterpart.
"I was very proud of the way the team bounced back today," head coach Ned Skinner said. "They came back to the pool this morning determined to compete hard and represent. Our leadership is outstanding and it showed in our results today."
In the women’s meet, Arnett put the H2Okies ahead early, winning the 3-meter diving event with a score of 350.55. She later won the 1-meter diving event with a score of 335.85. It was all Tech off the boards, as Arnett, senior Kelli Stockton and sophomore Ashley Buchter finished in the top three in both events.
Tech got off to a great start in the swimming events, winning the 200 medley relay with a time of 1:43.40 with Nazieblo, senior Alyssa Bodin, sophomore Maggie Gruber and sophomore Caroline Buscaglia swimming the event.
Paluszek came up big for the Hokies, winning both the 100 and the 200 breast. In the freestyle sprints, Parcell won the 50 free in 25.67 and the 100 free in 51.67.
Nazieblo faired similarly, winning the 200 fly and the 200 back. Her time of 1:59.48 in the 200 back set a new pool record at Duke. Nazieblo also won the 100 fly event, but her time was scored as an exhibition because of Tech’s lead.
To close out the women’s competition, Tech’s 400 free relay team took care of business, winning in 3:27.59. Hespeler, Parcell, Buscaglia and junior Gabrielle Bishop were the competitors for Tech’s “A” relay team.
In the men’s meet, Tech faired just as well. Once again, the Tech divers swept both events with Butts, sophomore Thomas Shinholser, junior Logan Stevens and freshman Mauro Castro-Silva finishing in the top four. Butts won the 1-meter with a score of 346.43 and the 3-meter with a score of 386.25.
Senior Owen Burns scored a quick time in the 200 free, setting a new pool record with his time of 1:38.66.
Higgins also broke a pool record, finishing the 200 back in 1:46.76. He also won the 100 back event with a time of 49.06. Latimer was the top finisher in two races, winning the 100 and the 200 fly.
Tech closed out the meet by winning the 400 free relay in a time of 3:00.72, setting a new pool record. Burns, senior C.J. Fiala, Latimer and junior Lucas Bureau swam the race.
Up next for Tech is a meet at Notre Dame with Pittsburgh on Nov. 7-8.