Scapens' Gold Medal Highlights Day 1 at ACCs
GREENSBORO, N.C. – A gold medal from diver Brodie Scapens in the 1-meter springboard capped an impressive first day of competition by the Hurricanes at the 2024 ACC Swimming & Diving Championships.
In the final trip of his career to the ACC Championships, Scapens picked up his first ever ACC gold medal, finishing with a score of 395.00. The redshirt senior edged out Dylan Reed from Pittsburgh (387.60) and Max Fowler of Georgia Tech (376.55) for top honors in the event.
Miami’s swimming contingent also enjoyed an impressive opening day of action at the Greensboro Aquatic Center.
The Hurricanes’ 800-yard freestyle relay – comprised of Talia Bates, Savannah Barr, Jane Fitzgerald and Adrianna Cera – set the school standard in a time of 7:04.79 to end the night’s action in the lanes. In addition to the school record, Bates lowered her own UM-best time in the 200-yard freestyle to 1:45.48.
Miami junior Mohamed Farouk, who joined Scapens as a qualifier for the 1-meter finals, finished in eighth with 313.55.
Scapens clinched a berth in the finals by taking fifth in the morning’s preliminary round.
“Prelims is always interesting, especially on 1-meter. 1-meter has never been my event. I got through that and was happy,” Scapens said. “I felt like I was moving well, the wheels didn’t fall off and that’s what prelims are for. Finals are where you get the chance to show off.”
Scapens’ forward 3 ½ somersault tuck helped seal an impressive first gold medal, and marked the second straight year the Hurricanes men have secured the top finish in the event; Max Flory swept all three events in 2023.
“That’s usually my hit-or-miss dive. I put that on my head with a decent entry,” Scapens said of his second dive, a 107C that put him in first place. “It wasn’t perfect, but it gave me a confidence boost.”
Scapens, who has overcome significant injury entering his final year at Miami, will compete in the 3-meter springboard on Thursday looking to add to his trophy cabinet.
“It was a great moment in my diving career. I wanted to perform for Randy [Ableman] and Dario [di Fazio]. It’s our job to keep their legacy alive, and it felt great to get the job done,” Scapens said. “With me and Farouk in the final, I felt good about our chances. I put six good dives together, and that’s how it goes.”
The ACC Swimming & Diving Championships continue Wednesday from Greensboro, N.C.
