2016 Women’s ACC Championship Preview

Photo Courtesy: Virginia Athletics

By Chandler Brandes, ACC Beat Writer

The 2016 women’s Atlantic Coast Conference Championships begin on Feb. 17 in Greensboro. In 2015, Virginia won, followed closely by North Carolina with Virginia Tech claiming third. The No. 3 Cavaliers will look to win their ninth-consecutive ACC Championship title, but will face tough competition.

Virginia is led by Leah Smith, who will look to repeat as the ACC champion in the 200 free, 500, and 1650, and Courtney Bartholomew, who won both the 100 and 200 backstrokes in 2015. The Cavaliers are the top seed in four relays, and they have impressive depth in each event. Kaitlyn Jones, Jen Marrkand, and Laura Simon have also been instrumental for the Cavaliers in both individual and relay events.

In 2015, North Carolina captured second due to their impressive depth. Allyn Hardesty and Emma Nunn should give the Tar Heels crucial points in the freestyle events, and Rachel Canty has consistently been the team’s top performer in both breaststrokes and the 200 IM. Versatile Hellen Moffitt is entered in five individual events, but will only be able to swim three.

No. 10 Louisville will look to improve upon their fourth place finish in 2015. Despite the graduation of the 2015 ACC MVP Tanja Kylliainen, Louisville will be led by key returners Kelsi Worrell, Andrea Kneppers, and Andrea Cottrell. Mallory Comerford and Rachael Bradford-Feldman, both freshmen, have been key components in adding depth for the Cardinals in each event.

The diving events will be exciting to watch, especially with the graduation of multiple seniors in both the 1m and 3m. North Carolina’s Elissa Dawson and NC State’s Rachel Mumma have been dominant on both boards throughout the season, but Georgia Tech’s Shannon Lumbra and Pitt’s Meme Sharp have also been strong. Rookies Cassidy Gebhart of FSU and Mack Willborn of Duke will look to make a statement in their first ACC appearance.

Full psych sheet available here: 2016 Women’s ACC Psych Sheet – Results

Schedule of events: 2016 ACC Schedule of Events – Results

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dmswim

8 years ago

No mention of NC State in your preview or returning runner up Virginia Tech in your preview?

dmswim

8 years ago

*returning third place team Virginia Tech

Katherine Nickel McFaden

8 years ago

Go Hoos!

Brian Cunningham

8 years ago

Excited to help the Hoos again this year

Pam Kirsch Magnan

8 years ago

Wahoowa!

Parke Cooper

8 years ago

Go Hoos!

Parke Cooper

8 years ago

Once again it’s YOUR TIME! Go Hoos!

Lisa Remele Harris

8 years ago

Go Hoos!! You got this Girls!!