Canes Set for 2016 ACC Swim/Dive Championships
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The University of Miami swimming & diving teams begin their run at the 2016 ACC Championships this week at the Greensboro Aquatic Center.
Miami enters the week riding momentum from its seventh win of the dual meet season – a 205-95 victory over crosstown foe FIU on Jan. 30. The seven wins were the most by a Miami Hurricanes swimming & diving team since 2010-11.
Kershaw, who said his team was “fired up” last time out against the Panthers and put on a “great meet – top to bottom,” will need similar excitement to battle a tough ACC field this week.
“The team is looking great. Our attitudes have been great, and it’s really exciting to see how together they are, how much fun they’re having,” Kershaw said. “This means a lot to them, but they have a little element of relaxation that comes from the confidence from all the hard work they’ve put in.”
The Hurricanes recorded eight NCAA “B” cut times in 2015-16, and added 18 new times in the program’s top-10 all-time performances in each event. The Hurricanes also recorded one school record, when Christina Leander set the mark in the 100-yard backstroke at the Ohio State Invitational.
“I think they feel ready, and I know that they are ready,” Kershaw said. “I think they’re excited to get it going.”
Kershaw said he expects stiff competition when the team hits the water this week.
“It’s a fast conference. I think it’s one of the best conferences in the country, if not the very best,” Kershaw said. “That adds a little bit to it.”
Competing on Wednesday will be Miami’s 200 yard medley relay and 800 freestyle medley relay teams, women’s divers Kara McCormack, Wally Layland and Carolyn Chaney in the 1-meter, and men’s diver Briadam Herrera in the 3-meter.
“We start with one of our strengths, which is the diving events,” Kershaw said. “That’s going to be big for us. I know the divers are excited and ready, and the springboard on the women’s side is one of our top events.”
Thursday’s events include the 500 freestyle – where Miami’s top qualifier was junior Cameron Davis – the 200 IM (Leander), 50 freestyle (junior Angela Algee), and 200 freestyle relay.
“I think Christina has a great shot at having a great meet,” Kershaw said. “Julia on the breaststroke also has a great shot, while Cameron is our lead in the distance events.”
Men’s diving, will also hold its 1-meter prelims and finals on Wednesday.
Friday’s events are the 400 IM (Davis), 100 fly (Algee), 200 freestyle (sophomore Ksenia Yuskova), 100 breaststroke (junior Julia Schippert), 100 backstroke (Leander) and the 400 medley relay, as well as the women’s 3-meter diving prelims and finals.
“Our middle distance freestyle is starting to become one of our strengths,” Kershaw said. “It’ll be exciting to see what Ianire [Casarin] can do in just her second meet. Ksenia is looking tremendous – the best I’ve ever seen her look, and Julie is looking great too. We’re looking pretty well-rounded.”
Miami will conclude its run at the ACC Championships on Saturday with the 1650 freestyle (Davis), 200 backstroke (Leander), 100 freestyle (Yuskova), 200 breaststroke (Schippert), 200 fly (Algee), men’s and women’s platform diving, and the 400 free relay.
“It’s a big week for some of our ‘fly’ers,” Kershaw said. “Both Angela and My [Fridell] look great, and I think they’ll have a great meet all-around.
Kershaw said he expects Miami’s depth to show up this week in Greensboro.
“We’re going to have great swims from some of our other contributors,” Kershaw said. “Roxanne Yu has had an under-the-radar great year for us, and I’d love to see her make some final swims. There will be others who will be right in the mix that we’re hoping can make it back for second swims.”
A live video stream of event finals will be available on ESPN3 on Thursday through Saturday starting at 6 p.m., with Dean Linke handling play-by-play and Warren Perry adding analysis.
There is no charge for admission to the 2016 ACC Swimming & Diving Championships. Parking is available for $8 cash for a single day or $16 cash for all four days of competition.
All championship information, including a full event schedule and live results, can be found at the official championship website http://theacc.co/SDchamps. Fans can also get updates by following along on Twitter using #ACCMSD, #ACCWSD and @ACCSwimDive.
