Junior wins first-ever national title for swimming and diving program
MINNEAPOLIS – The Virginia Tech swim and dive team had a historic night during the third day of the NCAA championships, highlighted by Youssef Ramadan earning the first national title in program history.
Competing in the 100 fly, he clocked in at 43.15 seconds, swimming the second-fastest time in NCAA history and breaking the school record. Placing third in the 100 fly last year, Ramadan held the top spot in the event coming into championships this year. The junior edged Florida’s Josh Liendo, who touched the wall in 43.40. His gold medal marks Virginia Tech’s 21st individual national title (19 in track and field, one in wrestling and one in swim and dive).
Earlier in the day during prelims, Landon Gentry made his way up the top 10 board in the 100 fly. Touching the wall at 46.07, he moved up from the eighth spot to sixth.
Finishing the night off strong, Forest Webb, Carles Coll Marti, Youssef Ramadan and Luis Dominguez finished seventh in the 400 medley relay at 3:02.53. This marks the Hokies’ second All-American relay in program history and second school record of the night.
“What can I say, we had our first national champion for the first time in the history of the swim and dive program,” said Head Coach Sergio Lopez Miro. “We’ve always known that Youssef is something special. He’s had a lot of ups and downs throughout the past couple of years, but coming into this meet, he was very calm and focused. I’m very proud of Youssef and also the whole team. We’ve had some swimmers out the past few days, and they had to jump back into it. Being seventh in the 400 medley relay and breaking another record tonight without being one hundred percent is no excuse, but it’s a competition and we push through it.”
Virginia Tech Athletics