Big Ten Meet of the Week: No. 1 Michigan Stunned by No. 6 Virginia; Haughey Dominates

Michigan's Siobhan Haughey. Photo Courtesy: Xinhua

By Dan D’Addona.

It isn’t easy being No. 1.

While teams have the confidence of earning the top ranking in the country, it is very difficult to keep it that way. That is because everyone wants to knock off No. 1 — especially another team in national contention.

After being ranked No. 1 in the first College Swimming Coaches Association of America poll, the Michigan women found out how tough it is to have the top ranking.

In a two-day meet, the Wolverines beat Penn State but were upset by No. 6 Virginia. The stunning part wasn’t that Virginia beat Michigan. They are both national powers. But the stunning part was the score. The Cavaliers won 196.5-156.5. It wasn’t a win that Virginia earned in the final relay. The Cavaliers swam well and had control of the meet.

But for the Wolverines, Siobhan Haughey dominated the meet from an individual standpoint. She won four events and set two Virginia pool records in the two-day meet.

Virginia’s Leah Smith, a Rio Olympian, won the women’s 1,000 free in 9:32.03 and the 400 IM in 4:13.19.

Smith also had an intriguing race with Michigan’s Haughey in the 200 freestyle. Haughey won the race in (1:45.35) ahead of Smith (1:46.77).

Haughey also was part of a pool record and a tie with Virginia’s Laura Simon in the 200 breaststroke (2:12.47).

Haughey set a new women’s pool record in the 200 IM, finishing in 1:58.98. She also won the 100 freestyle (49.28).

The other individual victor on the day was junior Clara Smiddy, who touched first in the 100-yard backstroke (54.41).

The Michigan women’s 400 free relay of Catie Deloof, Gabby DeLoof, Becca Postoll and Haughey broke the AFC pool record in 3:17.68.

Meanwhile, PJ Ransford, Evan White, Charlie Swanson an Jacob Montague each won individual events to pace the No. 6-ranked University of Michigan men’s swimming and diving team to wins over No. 25 Virginia (203-140) and Big Ten foe Penn State (217-126).

Click here for complete results.

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