ACC Championships: Virginia Takes Top Spot On Final Day

ATLANTA, Georgia, March 1. THE 2008 Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Swimming and Diving Championships came to an end the way it all began with the University of Virginia displaying its dominance throughout the week. The Cavaliers pulled off a thrilling victory in the 400-yard freestyle, the final event of the championship, to capture their 11th championship crown.

The Cavaliers outpaced the field collecting 833 points, the fourth-highest total in ACC history. North Carolina finished runner-up with 560 points, while last year's champion Florida State took third (524). Rounding out the top five were Georgia Tech in fourth place (375) and Virginia Tech at fifth (363).

Virginia's Matthew McLean was named ACC Most Valuable Swimmer by a vote of the head coaches. The freshman from Sterling, Va., shattered four of the six records this week and was also part of the ACC record-setting 800-yard freestyle relay squad. McLean recorded a stellar rookie campaign, taking gold in the 200 and 500 freestyle events and swimming on three winning relay teams.

The veterans came through with big performances in the final day of competition, as 19 upperclassmen earned a medal in the remaining seven events of the ACC Championship.

Virginia Tech's Kaan Tayla collected his second ACC title at this year's championship, as he posted a "B" qualifying time of 43.56 to become the first Hokie to win the 100 freestyle. Noah Copeland from Georgia Tech picked up his second silver medal in the event as he finished with a "B" mark 43.92, while Clemson's Adam Farnham touched in at 44.01 for third.

Tayla and McLean were one of only two swimmers to win two events at this year's championship.

Bjorn Falk, Pat Reams, PJ Sullivan turned in first-place finishes to give Virginia a solid advantage, as Falk won the 200 backstroke, Sullivan took first in the 200 breaststroke and Reams became the fifth straight Cavalier to take home the 200 butterfly title.

Diving competition concluded Saturday afternoon with platform diving being conducted for the first time in ACC history. Miami's JJ Kinzbach became the first men's platform champion, scoring 429.50 points. Florida State's Dan Frebel followed with a runner-up finish (395.20), while Virginia Tech's Mikey McDonald placed third with 347.40.

Up next for ACC Swimming and Diving is the NCAA Championships. Divers from the league will compete at one of the five pre-determined Zone Diving locations March 13-15 or 14-16 to qualify for the national championships, which takes place March 27-29 at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Wash. The University of Washington and the Seattle Sports Commission will serve as host.

Below are the final team standings, results and list of All-ACC performers at the 2008 ACC Men's Swimming and Diving Championships.

Team Standings Points
1. Virginia 833
2. North Carolina 560
3. Florida State 524
4. Georgia Tech 375
5. Virginia Tech 363
6. Clemson 346
7. NC State 302
8. Maryland 235
9. Duke 110
10. Boston College 68
11. Miami 44

Special thanks to ACC for contributing this report.

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