Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech's Youssef Ramadan has been awarded ACC Male Freshman of the Year, as announced by the league office on Wednesday.
Ramadan had a breakout year for the Hokies setting several school records, earning multiple All-American honors and contributing to the highest NCAA team finish in school history.
In his first year, Ramadan set four individual school records and contributed to two other school records in relay events. The freshman currently holds the school record in the following events: 50 freestyle (18.95), 100 freestyle (42.09), 50 butterfly (20.11), 100 butterfly (44.32), 400 freestyle relay (2:48.77) and 200 freestyle relay (1:16.56).
The Cairo, Egypt native had his most notable performance at the 2021 ACC Championships, where he turned in a record-breaking time in the 100 butterfly at 44.32. This was the third fastest time ever in the NCAA, fastest time swam by a freshman in NCAA history and the No.1 time in the country at that point in the season. Ramadan's time also broke the ACC record, ACC meet record, school record and the Greensboro Aquatic Center record.
Ramadan finished first in the 100 fly at ACCs and contributed to a third place finish in the 400 freestyle relay, 200 freestyle relay and 400 medley relay.
The freshman earned four All-American honors at NCAAs, two being honorable mention. Ramadan finished eighth overall in the 50 freestyle and 10th in the 100 freestyle. He also contributed to a sixth-place finish in the 400 freestyle relay and a 12th place finish in the 200-freestyle relay.
"I am so happy for Youssef and the Virginia tech Swimming and Diving team," Tech coach Sergio Lopez Miro said. "When I first saw Youssef dive in the water at a meet I had to find his phone number and after a couple of chats I flew to Egypt to meet with him, his family and his coach. He impressed me from the first conversation we had and he has not stopped impressing us with what he can do in the water. Being the fastest freshman in the history of the NCAA, the fastest 18 and under in the history and breaking the VT and ACC conference record is an amazing feat for such a young swimmer. He is still learning to understand swimming in yards, having to compete at a meet in multiple events without much rest, and understanding what it means to be a student-athlete in the US, but I feel lucky to have him here as a Hokie because he is determined to be the best he can be not for him but for his teammates and Virginia Tech."
NOTES:
Youssef had a record-breaking swim in the 100 Fly during the ACC Championships (44.32)
- No.1 time in NCAA this season
- 3rd fastest time ever in NCAA
- Fastest time swam by a freshman in NCAA history
- ACC record
- ACC meet record
- Greensboro Aquatic center record
- School record
- Gold medal at ACCs
ALL AMERICAN
- 50 free
- HR, 100 free
- 400 freestyle relay
- HR, 200 freestyle relay
School Rec
- 50 free (x2) (NCAA) (18.95)
- 100 free (NCAA) (42.09)
- 400 free relay (NCAA)
- 50 fly (ACC) (20.11)
- 100 fly (ACC) (44.32)
- 200 free relay (ACC)
ACC Medals
- Gold in 100 fly
- Bronze in 400 free relay
- Bronze in 200 free relay
- Bronze in 400 med relay