The Virginia Tech swim team finished the regular season at the Virginia Tech Invitational Friday, Feb. 3, through Sunday, Feb. 5, in the pool at the Christiansburg Aquatic Center by racking up 11 total pool records and six top times.
“The past few days have been good for the team, said head coach Sergio Lopez Miro. “We still have some work to do before the ACC’s, but we’re all very proud of the team. We’ve decided the rest of the team for the ACC’s so that’s exciting for everyone. To break this number of pool records just shows how much faster everyone is getting. Now it’s time for the team to rest up.”
Distance swimmer Chase Travis finished the 1650 free with an impressive 16:23.87, and following behind her was teammate Maddy Grafmiller with a time of 17:00.27.
The Hokie women always dominate backstroke. Emma Atkinson finished with a time of 1:52.46, and behind her was Carmen Weiler Sastre, completing her swim at 1:57.21, and following was Sydney DeBaecke with a time of 1:59.10.
The women continued to persevere as they stepped into the 100 free led by Emily Claesson who finished first with a time of 49.61. Closely behind her was Caroline Bentz with a time of 49.76, and helping the team hold the top three times was Anna Summers with a time of 49.83.
Charlotte Rigg finished the 200 breast with a time of 2:16.49. She was followed by teammates Allison Henry, who finished at 2:18.02, and Lauren Barakey, who finished at 2:19.03.
Morgan Miller took first in the 200 fly with a time of 2:00.18, and close behind her was her teammate, Karisa Franz, who finished with a time of 2:00.57.
Wrapping up the women’s portion of the competition was the 400 free relay completed at 3:16.13, a new pool record set by Weiler Sastre, Claesson, Atkinson, and Moore.
The men’s team started the day off with the 1650 free where Lee Naber completed the race at 15:35.60. Right behind him was his Nikolas Lee-Bishop with a time of 15:39.23.
The Hokies continued to push hard when they competed in the 200 back when Nico Garcia Saiz finished in first place with a time of 1:41.08 in first. Behind him were teammates Will Koeppen with a time of 1:43.09, and Forest Webb, who finished third with a time of 1:43.35.
The 100 free was a sight to see when Luis Dominguez completed the race at 43.20, taking first place.
The momentum did not die out, especially in the men’s 200 breast completed by Carles Coll Marti who dominated the pool. He finished the event at 1:52.82 and beat the pool record. His teammates were right there behind him. Keith Myburgh finished with a time of 1:57.58, and Joseph Hong completed the event in third place with a time of 1:57.84.
Continuing the fight in the 200 fly was Youssef Ramadan, who took first place with a time of 1:42.96. Backing him up were his teammates Landon Gentry, who finished second with a time of 1:44.07, and Tanish George Matthew completing the top three times at 1:46.83.
To finish off the weekend, Youssef Ramadan, Carles Coll Marti, Luis Dominguez, and Mario Molla Yanes placed first in the 400 free relay at 2:51.77.
NEW POOL RECORDS
100 back
Youssef Ramadan: 45.48
Emma Atkinson: 52.19
100 fly
Youssef Ramadan: 44.42
100 breast
Carles Coll Marti: 51.50
200 breast
Carles Coll Marti : 1:52.82
200 IM
Carles Coll Marti: 1:43.56
200 free relay
Women: Madelyn Moore, Carmen Weiler Sastre, Emily Claesson and Caroline Bentz – 1:28.97
Men: Youssef Ramadan, Carles Coll Marti, Luis Dominguez and William Kayon – 1:16.75
400 free relay
Women: Carmen Weiler Sastre, Emma Atkinson, Emily Claesson and Madelyn Moore – 3:16.13
200 medley relay
Women: Emma Atkinson, Fanni Gyurinovics, Karisa Franz and Madelyn Moore – 1:37.82
400 medley relay
Men: Forest Webb, Carles Coll Marti, Youssef Ramadan and Luis Dominguez
NEW TOP 10 TIMES
50 free
#5 Madelyn Moore – 22.37
200 free relay
#3 Women: Madelyn Moore, Carmen Weiler Sastre, Emily Claesson and Caroline Bentz – 1:28.97
#4 Men: Youssef Ramadan, Carles Coll Marti, Luis Dominguez and William Hayon – 1:16.75
200 medley relay
#2 Women: Emma Atkinson, Fanni Gyurinovics, Karisa Franz and Madelyn Moore – 1:37.82
#9 Men: Forest Webb, Cobi Lopez Miro, Youssef Ramadan and Carles Coll Marti – 1:25.29
400 medley relay
#10 Women: Emma Atkinson, Fanni Gyrunovics, Karisa Franz and Carmen Weiler Sastre – 3:36.07
The Hokies will head to Greensboro, N.C., to compete in the 2023 ACC Championships beginning Tuesday, Feb 14, and concluding Saturday, Feb 18.
–VT Athletics