Virginia Extends Lead at 2009 ACC Men's Swimming and Diving Championships
UNC's Tommy Wyher nets double gold in the session.



Feb. 27, 2009

COLLEGE PARK, MD. - Virginia took control of the team competition in the third day of the 2009 ACC Men's Swimming and Diving Championship. The Cavaliers scored 284 points in the evening session to take a commanding 139-point lead over Florida State and Georgia Tech. Four more ACC records fell in Friday's finals to raise the total to nine new league records set at the Championship.

To open the evening session, Georgia Tech's Gal Nevo won his second race of the meet with a dominating time of 3:39.33 in the 400 IM. The Yellow Jacket shattered the league record by three seconds, posted an NCAA "A" cut time and also recorded the fastest collegiate time this season. North Carolina's Tyler Harris finished (3:43.52) followed by Virginia senior Pat Mellors (3:44.65).

North Carolina's Tommy Wyher tracked down Florida State's Jarryd Botha over the final 50 yards to win the 100 Fly in 46.21. He bested the Seminole senior (Botha) by only two one-hundredths of a second. Virginia's Pat Reams finished third in 46.83. Wyher's time broke Botha's ACC record and secured the Tar Heel sophomore his second career ACC title.

Virginia's sophomore sensation Matt McClean broke his own ACC record in the 200 Free with a blistering time of 1:32.80. The NCAA "A" cut was the third fastest collegiate time this season. He was flanked on the medal stand by teammate Scot Robison who finished second in 1:33.05, also breaking the previous league record. Georgia Tech's Noah Copeland finished third (1:34.75).

Georgia Tech's Mickey Malul defended his 2008 ACC Championship in the 100 Breast with an NCAA "A" cut time of 52.86. Florida State's Scott Thacker finished second in 53.30, while Georgia Tech's Andy Miller took third in 53.47.

North Carolina's Wyher scored double gold on the evening with a win in the 100 Back with a new ACC record time of 46.41. He broke second place finisher Charlie Higgins (Virginia Tech) record which was set in the morning session. Higgins finished in 46.55 followed by Virginia's Eric Olesen (46.97) in third. Whyler and Higgins both scored NCAA "A" cut times in the race.

Miami's Rueben Ross won the 3M diving event with a six dive total of 474.30. He bested Florida State's Terry Horner (447.95) and Dan Frebel (406.95) to take the title. Ross earned his fourth career league title and second of the meet with the win.

Virginia closed the night with a win in the 400 Medley Relay. The Cavaliers took the win in an ACC record time of 3:08.71. Florida State took second place in 3:08.89, followed by Virginia Tech (3:11.18). All of the top three teams broke the previous league record.

The ACC Men's Swimming and Diving Championships will conclude on Sunday with a full day of action. Preliminary rounds begin at 11 a.m., followed by swimming finals starting at 7 p.m. Live video streaming of the finals will start at 7:00 p.m. on ACC Select. For more information, please visit www.ACCSelect.com.