Feb. 27, 1997

Virginia Men's Swimming in Fourth Place After Day One of ACC Championship

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Freshman Austin Ramirez (Brookfield, Wis.) won the ACC title in the 500 yard freestyle, as the University of Virginia men's swimming team opened action at the 1997 ACC Championship. Ramirez had a season-best time of 4:22.31 to win the event by almost one second over second place finisher Steve Parry of Florida State (4:23.28). The Cavaliers are in fourth place after the first day of competition with a score of 156 points, with North Carolina being the current leader at 237.5 points.

In addition to Ramirez, a number of other Virginia swimmers turned in outstanding performances. The 400 yard medley relay team of junior Jason Webb (Philadelphia, Pa.), junior Douglas Gallagher (Manhasset, N.Y.), sophomore Shamek Pietucha (Edmonton, Alberta) and senior Tom Woodworth (Waynesboro, Va.) had a second place finish with a time of 3:15.10. In the 200 yard individual medley, the Cavaliers had three championship finalists, with sophomore Mike Renshaw (Jacksonville, Fla.) placing fourth (1:49.24), freshman Doak Finch (Southern Pines, N.C.) coming in fifth (1:49.43) and Webb finishing eighth (1:50.43).

Other championship or consolation finalists for Virginia were junior Andrew Costantini (Jacksonville, Fla.) in the 500 yard freestyle (15th place / 4:34.43), sophomore Casey Hughes (Richmond, Va.) in the 200 yard individual medley (13th place / 1:51.96), junior Brian Hicks (Woodbridge, Va.) in the 200 IM (14th place / 1:52.21), Woodworth in the 50 yard freestyle (eighth place / 20.45) and freshman Kyle McDuffie (Tallahassee, Fla.) in the one meter diving (fifth place / 431.50).

The ACC Championship will continue on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 28 and Mar. 1. 

Team Standings              Individual Event Champions
1.  North Carolina 237.5    200 Free Relay Florida State        1:18.78
2.  Florida State    214    500 Free       Austin Ramirez (UVa) 4:22.31
3.  N.C. State     194.5    200 IM         Eric Fehr (UNC)      1:48.61
4.  Virginia         156    50  Free       Brendon Dedekind (FSU) 19.26
5.  Clemson           99    1 M Diving     Todd Smith (NCSU)     495.05
6.  Maryland          67    400 Medley Relay   Florida State    3:13.28
7.  Duke              62
8.  Georgia Tech      59