Carolina Athletics Sweep Virginia Tech in Home Opener

CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina, October 26. THE University of North Carolina men's and women's swimming and diving teams swept to victories over Virginia Tech in the Tar Heels' home opener Friday night at Koury Natatorium.

The Tar Heel men used their depth and a pair of individual victories from Brett Nagle, David Speese and Logan Heck to down the Hokies 173.5-126.5 as Carolina won 10 of 16 events. The Tar Heel women won 12 of 16 events, including two individual events each by Stephanie Peacock, Danielle Siverling, Katie Rechsteiner and Cari Blalock. The final team score on the women's side resulted in a 175-120 Tar Heel victory.

“We're thrilled to get a win in the ACC and swim at home in front of our fans,” said UNC head coach Rich DeSelm. “It's fantastic to compete and be at home and get a couple of wins. We were looking forward to it. We knew Virginia Tech would be a good opponent.

“Last year their men beat us at the conference meet. They are much improved and well coached and they have great diving. We felt is would be a great night to race and compete so overall we're very happy.”

Freshman Logan Heck led the Tar Heels on the men's side as his victories in the middle of the meet schedule gave UNC the momentum it needed to pull away from the Hokies. Heck won the 50-yard freestyle in 20.70 seconds as he edged Joseph Bonk of Virginia Tech by one one-hundredth of a second. Two events later, Heck edged UNC teammate J.T. Stilley by .13 of a second for a victory in the 100-yard freestyle. The freshman also led off UNC's victorious 400-yard freestyle relay in a time of 3:01.01.

Other two-event winners for Carolina on the men's side included senior captain Brett Nagle as he captured the 1000-yard freestyle in 9:17.05 and the 500-yard freestyle in 4:32.83 and sophomore David Speese who won both breaststroke events (57.21 in 100 and 2:04.04 in the 200). Other winners for UNC were J.T. Stilley in the 200 free, Patrick Myers in the 200 back and freshman Matt Kwatyra in the 200 IM.

The women's team had a host of two-event winners with Danielle Siverling, Cari Blalock and Katie Rechsteiner all winning two events and swimming on winning relay teams. Blalock's victories came in the 100 fly (54.91) and 200 IM (2:03.88), Rechsteiner swept the two breaststroke events, going 1:04.32 in the 100 and 2:19.60 in the 200. Both Blalock and Rechsteiner swam on the winning 200 medley relay team.

Siverling anchored the victories 400 free relay team for the Heels while winning the 200 free in 1:46.91 and the 100 free in 50.67. Junior Stephanie Peacock was her usual steady self as she won the 1000 and 500 freestyles. The 2012 NCAA champion in the 1650-yard freestyle was honored in pre-meet honors and she will also be recognized at Saturday's UNC football game against NC State.

The Tar Heels are next in competition when they host the 2012 Nike Cup competition at Koury Natatorium November 15-17.

Final Men's Team Score
North Carolina 173.5, Virginia Tech 126.5

Final Women's Team Score
North Carolina 175, Virginia Tech 120

Men's Events Winners
200-Yd. Medley Relay: Virginia Tech (Zach McGinnis, Nathan Hoisington, Karl Botha, Joseph Bonk), 1:30.59
1000-Yd. Freestyle: Brett Nagle (UNC), 9:17.05
200-Yd. Freestyle: J.T. Stilley (UNC), 1:39.52
100-Yd. Backstroke: Zach McGinnis (VT), 48.64
100-Yd. Breaststroke: David Speese (UNC), 57.21
200-Yd. Butterfly: Morgan Latimer (VT), 1:47.91
50-Yd. Freestyle: Logan Heck (UNC). 20.70
One-Meter Diving: Logan Shinholser (VT), 363.75
100-Yd. Freestyle: Logan Heck (UNC), 45.13
200-Yd. Backstroke: Patrick Myers (UNC), 1:47.54
200-Yd. Breaststroke: David Speese (UNC), 2:04.04
500-Yd. Freestyle: Brett Nagle (UNC), 4:32.83
100-Yd. Butterfly: Greg Mahon (VT), 49.04
Three-Meter Diving: Jared Butts (VT), 395.63
200-Yd. Individual Medley: Matt Kwatyra (UNC), 1:52.63
400-Yd. Freestyle Relay: North Carolina (Logan Heck, Sean Sullivan, Brad Dillon, J.T. Stilley), 3:01.01

Women's Events Winners
200-Yd. Medley Relay: North Carolina (Carly Smith, Katie Rechsteiner, Cari Blalock, Nikki Barczak), 1:43.23
1000-Yd. Freestyle: Stephanie Peacock (UNC), 9:57.38
200-Yd. Freestyle: Danielle Siverling (UNC), 1:46.91
100-Yd. Backstroke: Heather Savage (VT), 55.26
100-Yd. Breaststroke: Katie Rechsteiner (UNC), 1:04.32
200-Yd. Butterfly: Emma Nunn (UNC), 2:00.06
50-Yd. Freestyle: Heather Savage (VT), 23.64
One-Meter Diving: Kelli Stockton (VT), 274.95
100-Yd. Freestyle: Danielle Siverling (UNC), 50.67
200-Yd. Backstroke: Carly Smith (UNC), 2:01.17
200-Yd. Breaststroke: Katie Rechsteiner (UNC), 2:19.60
500-Yd. Freestyle: Stephanie Peacock (UNC), 4:44.86
100-Yd. Butterfly: Cari Blalock (UNC), 54.91
Three-Meter Diving: Kalyea Arnett (VT), 313.05
200-Yd. Individual Medley: Cari Blalock (UNC), 2:03.88
400-Yd. Freestyle Relay: North Carolina (Ally Hardesty, Katie Nolan, Lauren Earp, Danielle Siverling), 3:23.78

Top UNC Finishers (If Not Event Winner)
MEN
200-Yd. Medley Relay: Brad Dillon, Kurt Wohlrab, Sam Lewis, Logan Heck, 1:30.84
100-Yd. Backstroke: Nic Graesser, 49.49
200-Yd. Butterfly: Ben Colley, 1:48.24
100-Yd. Butterfly: Ben Colley, 49.68
Three-Meter Diving: Ryan Fox, 307.95
One-Meter Diving: Ryland Jones, 273.60

WOMEN
100-Yd. Backstroke: Carly Smith, 55.73
50-Yd. Freestyle: Hannah Lincoln, 23.73
One-Meter Diving: Natalie Ritter, 263.48
Three-Meter Diving: Natalie Ritter, 264.75

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use