Swimming and Diving Teams Meet Virginia Saturday

Oct. 25, 2007

The Clemson Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving team will travel to Charlottesville, Va. for a meet against the University of Virginia Cavaliers at 1:00 p.m. on October 27. The Clemson women head into the meet trying to make a statement at 1-3 (1-2 ACC), while the men are 4-0 (3-0 ACC) and are looking to continue their hot start.

Virginia comes into the meet at 1-1 (1-0 ACC) for both the men and the women. The men are ranked #12 in the first CSCAA poll, while the women are ranked at #19. Both teams fell to Florida on Oct. 11, but came back to defeat Virginia Tech on Oct. 20.

For the men, the Cavaliers hold a 28-12 mark over the Tigers in a series that dates back to 1957. The Tigers fell in Charlottesville to the Cavaliers last season by a score of 202-149, and Virginia has won each of the last seven meets between the schools. The Tigers have not won in Charlottesville since Jan. 12, 1986. With a win, the Tigers would match their best start since starting the season 5-0 in 1990-91.

The women are 12-17 against the Cavaliers all-time. Virginia has won the last nine meetings, with the Tigers last victory coming in 1997, a 144.5-98.5 meet in Clemson. Last season, the Tigers fell at Virginia by a score of 225-127.

The women are led by junior Rachel Regone, who has won the 50 free and 100 free in both meets this season. Junior Michelle Parkhurst also has a few wins in 2007-08 under her belt in the 200 free and 200 back.

The men will be led by senior Mark Vahle, who has the ACC’s fastest time in the 50 free so far this year, and Matt Balderston, who ranks in the top five of in the 50 free and 100 free this season. Attila Ruszka also has four wins this season, two in the 200 IM, and one each in the 200 breast and 100 breast. Senior Adam Farnham has also won the 100 fly in both meets this season, currently ranking third in the ACC in the event.

Following the meet at Virginia, the swimming and diving teams will return home to McHugh Natatorium to take on the University of South Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 2:00 p.m.