Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s Championships: Day One

ATLANTA, Georgia, February 16. THE North Carolina 200-yard medley and Virginia 800-yard freestyle relay squads kicked off the 2011 ACC Women's Swimming & Diving Championship Wednesday with record-breaking performances. Both teams set Georgia Tech Aquatic Center records, while the Cavaliers also bested championship and conference meet marks.

Through two events, the Tar Heels are first with 74 points, followed by the Cavaliers in second with 68 and Florida State in third with 62. Virginia Tech and Miami are tied for fourth (54), while Duke and NC State are tied for sixth (50). Clemson (40), Maryland (34), Boston College (30) and Georgia Tech (18) round out the field.

North Carolina claimed the first event of the championship. Sophomores Carly Smith and Katie Nolan, junior Layne Brodie and senior Rebecca Kane guided the Tar Heels' victorious 200-yard medley relay, posting an NCAA ‘B' qualifying time of 1:37.89. The mark also set a new pool record. With the win, the Tar Heels snapped Virginia's streak of three straight in the event.

Maryland took second place and also bested the pool record with a ‘B' clip of 1:38.57. Representing the Terrapins were senior Annie Fittin, juniors Alexa Hamilton and Ginny Glover and sophomore Megan Lafferty.

Additionally, Miami (1:38.88), Florida State (1:40.35), Virginia (1:40.63), Duke (1:41.28), Virginia Tech (1:41.93), NC State (1:42.29) and Georgia Tech (1:42.38) registered ‘B' times.

In the second and final event of the night, Virginia claimed its fourth consecutive 800-yard freestyle relay title, posting a ‘B' time of 7:03.00. The mark bested the championship and conference meet record by nearly two seconds. The Cavaliers also held the previous record, having set it at last year's championship. Virginia improved upon the pool record – set by Auburn in 2007 – by more than two seconds.

North Carolina (7:06.32), Florida State (7:12.76), Virginia Tech (7:13.32), NC State (7:19.79) and Clemson (7:21.28) also met ‘B' standards.

Both winning relay teams secured All-ACC accolades with their victories.

The championship continues Thursday with the 500-yard freestyle, 200-yard individual medley and 50-yard freestyle preliminaries at 11 a.m. Finals in those events, along with the 200-yard freestyle relay, will begin at 7 p.m. The women's one-meter diving prelims are scheduled for 1 p.m., followed by the finals at 5 p.m. Men's three-meter diving prelims will start at 2:45 p.m., with the finals at 7 p.m.

Live coverage is available on the ACC Network on theACC.com on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday beginning at 7 p.m. Follow all the 2011 Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving Championships action at the official championship website, http://www.theacc.com/championships/11-swimming-diving-championship.html.

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.

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