Virginia Celebrates Senior Day with a Splash: The Thrilling Showdown Against Virginia Tech

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The swimming and diving squads for Virginia’s men and women are set to host Virginia Tech in the concluding home dual competition of the season at the Aquatic & Fitness Center on Saturday, January 11 in Charlottesville, Va.

Diving is set to commence at 11 a.m. with swimming starting at 2 p.m.

Entry is complimentary.

HOW TO STAY UPDATED

• The event will be broadcast live on ACCNX via the ESPN app. It is accessible through participating television providers that offer ACC Network
• Live results will be accessible through Meet Mobile (download the app here).
• Supporters can track @UVASwimDive on Twitter and Instagram for updates

FAN INFORMATION

• A Senior Day Ceremony is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
• Complimentary parking will be provided across the street at Scott Stadium

ORDER OF SWIMMING 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 IM, 400 Free Relay

MEET HIGHLIGHTS

• The Virginia women (4-0) retain the No. 1 position in the CSCAA Poll, while Virginia Tech (2-2) is receiving votes
• The Virginia men (1-3) are ranked No. 17, in contrast to Virginia Tech (3-1) at No. 19. UVA ascended to No. 17 after previously being ranked No. 21. Virginia Tech had reached as high as No. 13 this season
• Virginia will recognize 14 seniors during the Senior Day ceremony: Colin Bitz, Connor Boyle, Tim Connery, Max Iida, Sam O’Brien, Nick Sanders, Matthew Styczen, Peter Thompson, Ella Bathurst, Abby Kapeller, Lizzy Kaye, Kate Morris, Reilly Tiltmann, Gretchen Walsh
• Furthermore, this will mark the last home dual for four graduate students: Jessica Buntman, Anna Keating, Maxine Parker, and Alex Walsh
• Freshman Katie Grimes will make her debut for the Cavaliers in this competition. Grimes starts classes at UVA on Monday after dedicating the first semester to international competition. She is a two-time Olympian and a silver medalist in the 400 IM in Paris, securing two individual medals (silver in the 400 IM and bronze in the 800 Free) at Short Course Worlds in December
• Grad student Alex Walsh is anticipated to make her return on Saturday. This will mark her first collegiate competition this year after sitting out the first semester due to an injury. She made her comeback to international competition at Short Course Worlds in December, where she earned six medals (2 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze), including two individual medals (a silver and a bronze) alongside four relay medals
• This will be the team’s first collegiate meet since the Tennessee Invite (a double-dual against Tennessee and Kentucky) that concluded on Nov. 22
• Virginia had five current student-athletes participating in the 2024 World Aquatics 25m Championships from December 10-15 in Budapest, Hungary: Jack Aikins, Alex Walsh, Gretchen Walsh, Emma Weber, and Katie Grimes. Assistant coach Jake Shrum was also a part of the Team USA coaching staff
• As she approaches the final home meet of her career, Gretchen Walsh possesses the top times in the nation this year across six events: the 50 Free, 100 Free, 50 Back, 100 Back, 50 Fly, and 100 Fly
• UVA holds the top two times in both the 100 Back and 200 Back. Gretchen’s leading time in the 100 Back (49.31) is followed closely by Claire Curzan (49.37). In the 200 Back, Curzan leads with a time of (1:46.87), trailed by Gretchen Walsh (1:48.18)
• Curzan is ranked in the top five in five events: 50 Free, 100 Free, 100 Back, 200 Back, 100 Fly
• Despite not participating yet this season in a collegiate event, Alex Walsh holds the top time nationally in the 200 Breast (calculated from her performance at Short Course Worlds). Aimee Canny is ranked fourth. Additionally, Alex Walsh has the leading time in the 200 IM, with another converted time from Short Course Worlds. Freshman Leah Hayes is ranked sixth (1:53.84)
• Tess Howley stands in second place this year for the 200 Fly with a 1:52.93 converted time from the Florida dual meet
• Virginia has the leading times in the nation for four relays: 200 & 400 Free and the 200 & 400 Medley
• Freshman Spencer Nicholas is ranked fourth in the NCAA for the 100 Fly (44.41). He set the UVA record twice in the 100 Fly at the Tennessee Invite, first in prelims before surpassing his own record in the finals
• Freshman David King ranks 10th in the 100 Back (1:39.82)
• Junior Jack Aikins is in the top 20 in three events: 50 Free, 100 Back, and 200 Back
• Junior Sebastien Sergile ranks in the top 20 in the 200 IM and 200 Free. He established the UVA record in the 200 Free (1:32.38) at the Tennessee Invite
• Although this is a direct competition against Virginia Tech, this meet is not a part of the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash. Clash points will be assigned based on team standings at the 2025 ACC Swimming and Diving Championship scheduled for next month

WHAT’S NEXT

• The Cavaliers will proceed to the Texas Duals to compete against Texas, Arizona State, and NC State