S&D Opens ACC Championships Wednesday in ATL
ATLANTA, Ga. – The Miami Hurricanes swimming & diving team opens its run at the 2015 ACC Championships Wednesday at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center.
Wednesday’s events include the 200-yard medley relay, the women’s 3-meter diving event, men’s 1-meter diving, and the 800 freestyle relay.
The Hurricanes will be looking to continue momentum from strong showings in their final January competitions leading into ACCs. Miami impressed but dropped a heartbreaker to crosstown foe FIU (149-150) on Jan. 31, and also delivered a standout performance in a quad-meet with host Virginia Tech, UNC-Wilmington and Virginia Tech on Jan. 24.
“They’ve certainly earned the great week ahead of them, I can’t wait to see them unleash,” head swimming coach Andy Kershaw said. “It’s a great swimming conference, and we’re proud to be a part of it. I’m also excited for our women to show up and show the conference what we’re made of, and how much hard work they’ve put in all year.”
Kershaw said the biggest difference between last year’s group and the 2015 team is another year of experience under its collective belt.
“They’re a lot more confident because of that experience,” he said. “It’s not only their second year at Miami, but now they have one more year of familiarity with me, and I think that’s important. We also have some youth, too, and the experience from our leaders has instilled confidence in them. It’s a great environment right now.”
Miami has enjoyed success at the ACC Championships, including a seven-medal performance in Greensboro, N.C. in 2014. Senior Sam Dorman captured two silver medals (1-meter, 3-meter), senior Thea Vock took in a silver medal (1-meter), while junior Tanner Wilfong (silver, platform) and senior Cheyenne Cousineau (silver, platform) ended the competition on a high note for head diving coach Randy Ableman and the Hurricanes.
Kershaw expects the heartbreak from his team’s one-point loss to FIU and a three-point loss to Georgia Tech (148-151) to pay dividends this week.
“The goal is to put it all out on the line all year long. Now they give that same effort, the effort they’ve learned from all the battles they’ve had, but they’re feeling a little better doing it,” he said. “If you look back at a lot of our meets coming down to the last relay, you look at performances and times and those situations, and how much they were able to step up – this is another chance for them to do that.”
The excitement surrounding the conference championships has Kershaw’s team ready to compete.
Standout performers against FIU included sophomore Angela Algee, senior Heather Arseth, sophomore Cameron Davis, junior team captain My Fridell, sophomore Julia Schippert freshman Julie Suarez, and midseason newcomer Ksenia Yuskova.
Kershaw expects the group to be in the mix competing for the first ACC titles of their careers this week.
“It’s definitely the week to let it all hang out, with it being the culmination of it all,” he said. “When you’re at the pool, leaving the pool or coming into the pool, you can certainly feel the buzz. There are teams that look a little tense, and I think our women look really loose and ready to go.”
