Nov. 5, 2009
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
The Maryland swimming and diving team will get a chance to check out this season's ACC Championship venue when it travels to Chapel Hill for a dual meet against North Carolina Friday.
The women's team defeated N.C. State and Duke for the first time since Nov. 4, 2006 two weeks ago in College Park. Maryland (3-0) is paced predominantly by four swimmers as Annie Fittin, Ginny Glover, Alexa Hamilton and Jen Vogel are all scattered amongst the ACC's top ten finishes so far this season. Fittin, an NCAA qualifier last season, is fourth in the 50 free (23.45) and sixth in the 100 back (56.60). Fellow NCAA participant Vogel tops the ACC in the 200 IM (2:04.18) and ranks sixth in the 200 fly (2:02.17) and eighth in the 100 fly (55.73). Sophomores Glover and Hamilton are third in the 200 back (2:01.26) and fifth in the 200 breast (2:18.76), respectively.
The men have five times ranked in the top ten in the ACC this season, led by two from sophomore Andrew Relihan. The team's top finisher in the ACC meet last season, Relihan is fourth in the 200 back (1:50.02) and seventh in the 200 IM (1:53.30). Fellow classmate Sean Stewart is fifth in the 200 fly (1:50.49) and senior Aleksandar Damjanic has the ninth best 100 fly time in the conference this season (50.55). Mitch Challacombe's 21.07 in the 50 free currently ranks ninth. Maryland fell to N.C. State and Duke in its last outing Oct. 24 and looks to bounce back in ACC play with its first road trip at North Carolina.
North Carolina has garnered two ACC swimmer of the week awards this season as Laura Moriarty and Joe Kinderwater have each picked up the accolade in 2009. Moriarty specializes in the IM, fly and breast while the Terps will need to prepare for Kinderwater in the distance free events. The men's squad is 5-0 while the women are currently 4-1 on the year. Both teams are undefeated (2-0) in ACC play.
Following Friday's meet, Maryland plays host to intrastate rivals Towson and UMBC on Nov. 14 at 1 p.m. at the Eppley Recreation Natatorium.
