S&D Ends Prolific Run at ACC Championships
GREENSBORO, N.C — The University of Miami swimming & diving team wrapped up one of the most impressive performances in recent memory Saturday at the 2013 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships hosted by the Greensboro Aquatic Center.
“All in all, I’m happy with the meet,” head swimming coach Christie Shefchunas said. “We got NCAAcuts, had an ACC champion and broke several school records.”
Three more school records fell on the final day of competition: 400-Yard Freestyle Relay, 200-Yard Breaststroke, and 200-Yard Butterfly.
But once again, the story of the night was another tremendous showing from the Hurricanes divers. Miami secured two of the top finishes in the women’s platform event, the first of the evening. Sophomore Kara McCormack won her first ACC Championship with a score of 298.10, while senior Carrie Dragland picked up her third medal of the tournament with a third-place showing (287.85).
Senior Christine Anderson broke Miami’s first school record on the night, touching the wall in the 200 Breast in a time of 2:13.32. The finished earned the Chattanooga, Tenn., native fourth place.
“I couldn’t be prouder of Christine,” Shefchunas said. “She really wanted todo great things her last ACC’s and she went above and beyond. I am so excitedfor her.”
Sophomore Lucy Worrall continued her strong run at the conference championships by capturing first place in the consolation finals of the 200 Fly, breaking the school record in the event. The England native finished the event with a time of 1:57.55.
“She dropped two seconds in this event, and that’s justthe tip of the iceberg for her,” Shefchunas said. “Her best event is the 100 Fly but I reallythink she’s going to end up a phenomenal 200 Fly-er.”
The Hurricanes’ entry in the 400 Freestyle Relay provided one of the more thrilling finishes to the tournament, breaking another school in the event. Freshman My Fridell, senior Celeste Degen, senior Hannah Kling, and Worrall combined for a time of 3:19.62.
“I’ve been trying to break that record since I got to Miami seven years ago. It’s from 2002!” Shefchunas added. “Really great performance by the 400 Free Relay team.”
With the 2013 ACC Championships finished, Shefchunas and her team are looking forward to returning to Coral Gables and preparing for the NCAA Championships.
“I’m excited to get home and get ready forNCAA’s,” she said. “With the times done here, I’m excited to get there and show some peopleabout Miami.”
