Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams will host their first home meet of the season, welcoming VMI, Queens and Liberty (women) to the Christiansburg Aquatic Center on Friday, Oct. 20 at 4 p.m.
“We are looking forward to welcoming some strong opponents to our pool for Friday’s meet,” said head coach Ned Skinner. “Queens is the defending Division II National Champions for women and men and they have some real superstars. Liberty is a women’s team emerging onto the national scene and VMI has a young, hungry coach. We love our home pool advantage and we have many exciting things planned for our fans and team. It’s going to be a great day!”
“Liberty women are new on the scene,” said diving coach Ron Piemonte. “We are happy to welcome them here this weekend. Our divers are building on a strong weekend last week and are determined to strengthen consistency in competitions. Another goal this week is to try to hit some more NCAA zone scores to get qualified early in the season.”
IN THE RANKINGS
The Hokies remain ranked in the CSCAA preseason coaches’ poll with the men at 19th and the women receiving votes (the next poll will be released Oct. 24). Tech also entered the collegeswimming.com standings with both teams at ninth.
Queens’ men stand atop the CSCAA preseason Division II poll after winning the DII title last year for the third consecutive season. The women are also the three-time defending national champions and enter the season ranked second.
THE HOKIES (2-0m/ 2-0w)
Virginia Tech is coming off ranked wins the opening weekend as both the men’s and women’s teams defeated Duke and Florida State. Freshman Lane Stone had a breakout opening weekend for the H2Okies men, winning three events (500 free, 1000 free and 200 free) en route to claiming ACC Swimmer of the Week and the collegeswimming.com National Swimmer of the Week.
Joining Stone on the men’s side with multiple first place finishes were Norbert Szabo (200 IM and 200 fly) and Justin Edwards (100 breast, 200 breast). Jake Lamparella and Michael Craddock also claimed top times in the 200 back and 400 IM, respectively.
Reka Gyorgy also had a big weekend, winning four events (200 IM, 200 back, 200 free and 400 IM) for the women’s side, earning collegeswimming.com ACC Swimmer of the Week recognition.
On the women’s side, Adriana Grabski (100 free), Emily Meilus (100 back) and Klaudia Nazieblo (200 fly) joined Gyorgy with first place individual finishes for the H2Okies. Tech’s 200yd freestyle relay (Grabski, Maggie Gruber, Joelle Vereb and Danielle Griggs) had the top time along with the 400yd freestyle team (Grabski, Gruber, Griggs and Abigail Andrusin).
THE ROYALS (2-0m / 3-0w)
Queens is coming off wins over Emory last weekend. The Royals picked up wins in 11 events on the women’s side and took 13-of-14 on the men’s side. Nicholas Arkelian won conference swimmer of the week after winning three individual events, including the 400 IM with a 12-second advantage. McKenzie Stevens led the women’s side with three individual wins.
THE KEYDETS (1-1m / 0-2w)
VMI fell to Mount St. Mary’s the last time out. Ryan Schmitz led the men’s team with two wins, taking the 50 and 100 free events. John Kim took the 100 back and David Turbyfill won the 1,000 free.
On the women’s side Natalie Rivas won the 50 free while Calle Biles took the top score in the 1m diving.
THE FLAMES (1-1w)
Liberty fell to Kansas in a close 188.5-164.5 meet after the Jayhawks trailed entering the second day last weekend. Amy Schools was named conference diver of the week after finishing fourth behind the Jayhawks’ divers.
The Flames claimed six individual events and three relays against the Big 12 runners-up.
THE MEET
Friday’s meet will consist of the following events: 200 Medley Relay, 1000 Free, 200 free, 100 Back, 100 Breast, 200 Fly, 50 Free, 100 Free, 200 Back, 200 Breast, 500 Free, 100 Fly, 200 I.M., 200 Free Relay.
It is the H2Okies Superhero Swim Meet with the first 100 kids receiving a design your own superhero themed cape and mask. In addition, the first 100 fans will receive a pink rally towel and superhero swim cap. Come out early as former Virginia Tech football head coach Frank Beamer will be in attendance starting at 3:30 to mingle with the fans.
UP NEXT: The H2Okies will travel to Chapel Hill, North Carolina to face the Tar Heels on Saturday, Nov. 4.