Swimming swept by Virginia Tech

by Hahnming Lee, Advertising Manager

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The swimming team was swept by both the men’s and women’s Virginia Tech swimming team. The diving team did not participate.

The men’s team was led by Noah Copeland and Mickey Malul, who each won two events. Still, the Hokies were able to win, 159.5-102.5

The women’s team had Elizabeth Stowe and Christine Chuang also win two of their events for the squad, but was unable to close the large deficit against the No. 22 Virginia Tech team, falling 177-84.5

The first event at the meet was the 200-yard medley relay. The men’s team was made up of Matt Tang, Onur Uras, Mauricio Sousa and Malul. The three upperclassmen and freshman were able to keep it close for most of the race, eventually coming in second with a time of 1:31.43.

The women’s team, made up of Ryann Kopacka, Lisa Pucci, Christine Chuang and Agatha Kwasnik, was able to keep the pace and finished with a time of 1:47.84. Later in the meet, Stowe gave Tech its first win of the meet, outpacing her opponents by more than 15 seconds in the 1000-yard freestyle. Her time was 10:09.19. Stowe was also able to win the 500-yard free.

Copeland won the men’s first event, taking 200-yard freestyle at a time of 1:39.45. Copeland also won the 100-yard free, earning a time of 45.49. Copeland also won the 100-yard free for his second victory of the meet, earning a time of 45.49. In that same race, Travis Wagner was able to place No. 3 finishing with 1:42.40.

Later, Malul was able to add to the team’s victories when he was able to edge out the other racers for the win in the 100-yard breaststroke. He won with a time of 56.24. Malul pulled off a close victory in the 200-yard breaststroke, winning with a time of 2:07.93.

Chuang racked up her two wins in the 200-yard butterfly and the 100-yard fly. She had times of 2:05.36 and 57.09, respectively.

“This is the first meet since the [Georgia Tech] Invite and we are a little rusty. [Noah], [Elizabeth], and even Jing Li, are the ones that set the tone. We knew that Virginia Tech was a strong team, so we knew they would beat us at some events, but we thought we would win some of the others,” Head Coach Stu Wilson told ramblinwreck.com.

The Jackets next host Emory and Vanderbilt in their final meet of this season. It will be senior day and the last time many of these athletes will swim for the Jackets.

All 11 seniors will be honored and participate in the “Seconds for the Cure” program, an organization aiming to aid in the fight against breast cancer.

They have teamed with Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Fans and parents can pledge money if a racer finishes in a certain amount of time.