UNC swimming teams beat Virginia Tech

After the Virginia Tech men edged the North Carolina men’s swimming team for second at the ACC Championship last season, coach Rich DeSelm said he was excited for a rematch.

He wasn’t disappointed. Friday, Virginia Tech proved to be no match for the No. 9 North Carolina men’s and No. 16 women’s swimming and diving teams when the two programs met at Koury Natatorium.

The men defeated the Hokies 173.5 – 126.5. The women prevailed by a similar margin against Virginia Tech, taking the meet 175 – 120.

“We knew that Virginia Tech would be a good opponent,” DeSelm said “They’re much improved and they have great diving. We figured it’d be a great night to race and compete so we’re overall happy.”

UNC began the meet with a first- and second-place finish in the women’s 200-yard medley relay, establishing an early lead for the Tar Heels.

Two UNC relay teams grabbed the second- and third-place spots in the men’s race.

Senior co-captain Brett Nagle said he was especially pleased with the distance swimmers this weekend.

“The distance guys on this team — the 400 IMers, the distance freestylers — they’re kind of like the heart and soul of our team,” Nagle said. “We’ve always had a great history (of distance swimming). It’s really great to come into practice and see a group of guys banging out yardage everyday. It really gives a good confidence to the rest of the team.”

On the women’s side, the Tar Heel distance swimmers also outperformed the Hokies.

The individual events began with the women’s 1,000-yard freestyle, an event that UNC junior Stephanie Peacock feels more than comfortable in. She won the race, edging out teammate Jackie Rudolph, who took second, by six seconds. Peacock also won the 500-yard freestyle later in the meet.

Peacock was honored at the meet Friday and at the football game against N.C. State Saturday for breaking the NCAA women’s 1,650-yard freestyle record at the NCAA championships last March.

Peacock was also awarded ACC Female Swimmer of the Week last week.

DeSelm said he didn’t think Peacock was challenged competing against the Hokies.

“She’s obviously one of the greatest swimmers to ever compete for the Tar Heels,” DeSelm said. “It would’ve been easy to place her somewhere obscure and have her swim some other events, but she is a freestyler, and she is a very good one, and she got two wins.”

Peacock’s challenge for this meet was outside the water — becoming a more vocal team leader.

“I lead by example,” Peacock said. “I know I need to take on more of a leadership role and I’m kind of working into it.”

Contact the desk editor at sports@dailytarheel.com.