GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Virginia Tech men's swimming and diving team is in third after the first full day of competition at the 2019 ACC Swimming and Diving Championships. Sophomore Lane Stone and senior Norbert Szabo led the Hokies, claiming bronze in the 500 free and 200 IM, respectively.
"Today was a really, really good day both in the morning and evening sessions," said head coach Sergio Lopez Miro. "However, we aren't as focused on where we are as a team, but on how we can go out and get better every time."
Stone dropped three seconds off his morning qualifying time in the 500 free to finish with an NCAA B cut time of 4:13.10. He broke his own school record (4:14.73) that he set last season.
Joining Stone in scoring position for the Hokies were a quartet of freshmen. Filippo Dal Maso and Antani Ivanov were both in the B finals while Keith Myburgh and Blake Manoff swam the C finals.
Dal Maso placed 11th for Tech and entered the Hokies' top-five times in second just behind Stone with a 4:18.10 to get a B cut. Ivanov was just behind in 12th with a B cut of 4:18.22, and with the time he moves into fourth on Tech's top-five list.
In the C finals, Myburgh came in 22nd with a time of 4:22.67 while Manoff was 24th in 4:24.01.
"Tonight the 500 was very, very good," said Lopez Miro. "We started a best time from Keith who has been out for two weeks. Then Antani and Filippo both swam top-five times, plus a new school record with Lane. It was a great event for us."
In the 200 IM, Szabo turned in a B time of 1:43.17 to nab the bronze medal. He was joined in the A finals by sophomore Sam Tornqvist who placed fifth in the event with a B cut 1:44.07 which places him third on the Hokies top-five times list. Senior Sean Workman also qualified, making the B final where he placed 15th in 1:46.77.
"The same thing with the 200 IM, we had a great event," said Lopez Miro. "Norbert didn't break the record but he has the second fastest time. I think that with the times Norbert and Sam swam today they will get the invite to NCAAs."
Tech advanced four into the finals of the 50 free with senior Ian Ho making the A final, sophomore Thomas Hallock was in the B while senior Jake Lamparella and junior David Herbert were in the C.
Ho finished seventh for the Hokies with a 19.47. Hallock was 15th in 19.84 while Lamparella came in 20th with a time of 19.66. All three hit NCAA B cuts. Herbert, who was injured during the morning session still swam the finals, finishing 24th with 20.99.
"I thought we could have had a little better 50 free," said Lopez Miro. "But it is a race that if you make any mistakes then it immediately has an impact. David hit his elbow during the morning session and was in pain, but came out and swam anyway for us to pick up some points."
The Hokies wrapped up the day with the 200 free relay, finishing fifth with a time of 1:18.13 as the team of Ho, Hallock, Lamparella and freshman Henry Claesson recorded the fourth fastest time in program history.
"We had to put Henry in the relay after David was hurt and he really stepped up," said Lopez Miro. "I think all the coaches are happy after today. Coach [Josh] Huger, who has been with the program a couple of years says this is one of the best days he's seen since he has been on staff."
Virginia Tech will be back in the pool Friday morning at 10 a.m. for the prelims of the 100 fly.
TEAM STANDINGS
NC State – 496.5
Louisville – 404
Virginia Tech – 378.5
Florida State – 378
Virginia – 363
Duke – 300
Notre Dame – 256
Georgia Tech – 224
Pitt – 206
North Carolina – 167
Miami – 101
Boston College - 96
