Feb. 5, 2009

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland swimming and diving team is ready to plunge into its final preparations for the ACC Championships this weekend when it plays host to the Virginia Tech men's team at 5:30 p.m. on Friday before celebrating Senior Day against Georgetown at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Eppley Center Natatorium.

The Maryland men (5-6, 0-3) will face Virginia Tech in search of its first ACC win this season before battling Georgetown the next day. The Maryland men are continually paced by the senior duo of Andy Dilz and Eric Cullen in addition to a solid freshmen contingent. Dilz is currently 7th in the ACC in the 50 free (20.37) while Cullen boasts the ninth best times in the 100 (56.19) and 200 breast (2:03.23).

The women's squad (10-3, 2-2) is having a resurgent season in 2008-09. The team is led by NCAA B-cut qualifiers Jen Vogel and Patty DeScenza, in addition to senior Yelena Skalinskaya and sophomore Annie Fittin. Vogel has the top time in the ACC in the 100 fly (53.86) and the second-best in the 200 fly (1:57.72) while DeScenza ranks third in the 200 fly (1:58.17). Fittin is fifth in the conference in the 100 free (50.22) and eighth in the 100 back (55.38). Skalinskaya is one of the Terps top sprinters as her 50 free time (23.20) is tenth in the ACC this season.

Virginia Tech (6-1, 3-1) enters Friday's men's dual meet in second place in the ACC standings. The Hokies defeated Pittsburgh, 183-111, their last time out. Scott Harkins led the way with three individual wins in the 100 free (46.03) and 100 (57.86) and 200 breast (2:06.16). Diver Mikey McDonald is already headed to the Diving Zone Championships and won the 3-meter and took second in the 1-meter against the Panthers.

Georgetown is 2-8 on the women's side and 5-4 in the men's heading into Saturday's festivities. The Hoyas fell to UConn last time out as the women were defeated, 164-127, while the men were ousted, 163-122. GU swept on the boards as Michael McWilliams and Caitlyn Karniski were each victorious in the 1- and 3-meter. The Hoyas also swept the 400 free relay with the women winning in 3:42.63 and the men in 3:19.99. Individually, GU picked up wins from Mallory Kiplinger in the 200 free (1:57.83) and Laura Stark in the 200 IM (2:14.87). Lindsay Vickory (200 back - 2:13.32), Keenan Timko (100 breast - 1:01.66) and Megan Harvey (100 free - 54.92) all qualified for the BIG EAST championships.

The Terps will celebrate Senior Day immediately prior to Saturday's meet against Georgetown. This year's class includes Dilz, Cullen, Skalinskaya, Chris Chambers, John Closs, Kyle Glennon, and Dong Kim.