Oct. 11, 2007

Florida Defeats Virginia in Season Opener

The Virginia men's and women's swimming and diving teams were defeated by Florida Thursday in the season-opening meet at the Aquatic and Fitness Center.

Freshman Taylor Smith won his very first collegiate event, the 1000-yard freestyle in 9:12.39, six seconds ahead of Florida's second-place finisher. Classmate Scot Robison had a first-place finish of his own, a win in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 21.02. Smith also placed second in the 500-yard freestyle with a mark of 4:29.30 and Robison earned a second-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly in 49.31.

The women started off with a bang, winning the very first event of the meet, the 200-yard medley relay. The team of Mei Christensen, Katherine McDonnell, Stephanie Glover and Jessica Lewis finished first in a time of 1:43.52. Freshman Ellie Freeman also won the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:14.64.