Mar. 29, 1997

Virginia Men's Swimming Finishes 20th At NCAAs

MINNEAPOLIS - Sophomore Shamek Pietucha (Edmonton, Alberta) finished in fourth place in the 200 yard butterfly to lead the University of Virginia men's swimming team to a 20th place finish at the 1997 NCAA Championship. Pietucha was one of three Cavalier swimmers to compete in the championship finals on the day, along with junior Jason Webb (Philadelphia, Pa.) in the 200 yard backstroke and freshman Doak Finch (Southern Pines, N.C.) in the 200 butterfly.

Virginia concluded the meet with an overall team score of 55 points to finish in 20th place. Pietucha led the way with his time of 1:45.61 for a fourth place finish in the 200 butterfly. Webb finished in sixth place in the 200 backstroke with a time of 1:44.55, while Finch was eighth in the 200 butterfly in a time of 1:48.58.

Three other Cavaliers also took part in the day's individual events. Freshman Austin Ramirez (Brookfield, Wis.) earned an 11th place finish in the 1,650 yard freestyle with a time of 15:13.31. Sophomore Douglas Gallagher (Manhasset, N.Y.) finished in 23rd place in the 200 yard breaststroke in a time of 2:01.90, while senior Tom Woodworth (Waynesboro, Va.) claimed 47th place in the 100 yard freestyle with a time of 44.92. In addition, the 800 yard freestyle relay team of Ramirez, Finch, Pietucha and Webb had a 17th place finish with a time of 6:42.22.

Virginia had a total of six swimmers take part in the NCAA Championship. The Cavaliers finished the season with an overall record of 5-6 while placing fourth at the ACC Championship.

Mar. 28, 1997

Virginia's Pietucha 18th in 100 Butterfly at NCAA Championship

MINNEAPOLIS - University of Virginia sophomore Shamek Pietucha (Edmonton, Alberta) finished 18th in the 100 yard butterfly on the second day of competition at the 1997 NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championship. Pietucha swam a career-best time of 48.21 and was only .21 away from qualifying for event finals.

Three other Cavaliers also took part in the day's events. In the 100-yard backstroke, junior Jason Webb (Philadelphia) placed 22nd in a time of 49.19. Freshman Doak Finch (Southern Pines, N.C.) finished in 28th place in the 400 yard individual medley with a time of 3:56.93, while sophomore Douglas Gallagher (Manhasset, N.Y.) placed 33rd in the 100-yard breaststroke in a time of 56.64.

The NCAA Championship will conclude tomorrow, Mar. 29, with the third and final day of competition. The Cavaliers who will be swimming tomorrow are freshman Austin Ramirez (Brookfield, Wis.) in the 1,650 yard freestyle, Webb in the 200 yard backstroke, senior Tom Woodworth (Waynesboro, Va.) in the 100 yard freestyle, Gallagher in the 200 yard breaststroke and Pietucha in the 200 yard butterfly. Ramirez, Webb and Pietucha are all seeded in tomorrow's events.