Jan. 2, 1998

UVa Men's Swimming And Diving Team Ranked 23rd Nationally

CHARLOTTESVILLE--The University of Virginia men's swimming and diving team is ranked 23rd in the nation in the latest Top 25 rankings. The Cavaliers are 3-0 in dual meet competition this season.

In addition, two Virginia swimmers have times ranked in the top ten in the nation. Junior Shamek Pietucha (Edmonton, Alberta) is number one in the 200-yard butterfly (1:45.47) and fifth in the 100-yard butterfly (47.98 seconds). Senior Jason Webb (Philadelphia, Pa.) is eighth in the 200-yard backstroke (1:46.17).

Pietucha won two butterfly events at the United States Open last month. He won the 100-meter butterfly in 54.24 seconds and the 200-meter butterfly in 1:59.85.

Virginia sophomore Austin Ramirez (Brookfield, Wisc.) competes in the five kilometer open water swim at the World Championships in Perth, Australia, on January 7. He won the United States national title in that event in Nashville, Tenn., last summer.

The next dual meet competition for the UVa men's and women's swimming and diving teams is at Rowan University on January 12. Virginia's divers compete at the University of Georgia Diving Invitational January 3-5.

The UVa women's swimming and diving team is currently 2-1 in dual meet competition this season.