5 Top Storylines for the ACC This Weekend

Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott

By Chandler Brandes, ACC Beat Writer

The ACC is back in full swing this weekend as 11 teams begin competing in the 2016 season. For the women, Virginia is the top ACC team with the No. 1 ranking in the nation. On the men’s side, Louisville is the top ACC team, ranked No. 6.

Top 5 Storylines:

Leah Smith and Courtney Bartholomew look to lead 1st-ranked Virginia past ACC rival Notre Dame in their first meet after returning from a strong Duel in the Pool, where Bartholomew set a new American record in the 100 SCM back and was part of the World Record setting 4×100-meter medley relay. Smith currently leads the NCAA in the 500, 1000, and 1650 freestyles, and Bartholomew leads the nation in both backstrokes. Expect to see some fast swims from both of them as they look to continue their success in 2016.

Florida State competed against University of Florida last weekend, and will face equally tough competition in Louisville. Watch out for some fast times in the men’s sprint events: Jason McCormick leads FSU in both the 50 and 100 freestyles while Trevor Carroll has done the same for Louisville. The two will meet head-to-head in what will sure to be close races, as well as some equally close relays.

Virginia Tech will compete in a 2-day meet against the SEC’s Kentucky and Louisiana State. The Hokie women have only lost one dual meet this season, and the men will look to remain undefeated. Versatile Klaudia Nazieblo has played an important role this season for the Hokies in both individual events and relays, and it will be interesting to see what she swims this weekend. Lucas Bureau has been a key component to some fast Virginia Tech relays, which will face tough competition as LSU has equally fast relays.

Watch out for some fast relays from both University of Pittsburgh and the BIG 12’s West Virginia University. For the men, Pitt is only .04 ahead of WVU in the 200 free relay and .06 ahead in the 200 medley relay. David Sweeney and Haden Calegan have been instrumental to Pitt’s relays. Panther diver Dominic Giordano, a 3-time ACC Male Diver of the Week during the first semester, will look to continue his success on the boards heading into the new year.

What North Carolina swimmers will step up as they face tough competition in the Patriot League’s Navy? The Tar Heels and the Mids are evenly matched up, and the meet could potentially come down to relay points. Emma Nunn and Allyn Hardesty lead the way for the North Carolina women, and Samuel Lewis does the same for the Tar Heel men. Also pay close attention to diver Jack Nyquist as he returns to the board after placing 18^th at the U.S. Diving Winter Nationals.

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