2024 ACC SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 2024 ACC Championships continue with the third day of action, featuring preliminary races in the 400 IM, 100 fly, and 200 free.
Notably, Gretchen Walsh will be competing in the women’s 100 fly, while Alex Walsh has entered the 400 IM, 100 fly, and 200 free events. This indicates the possibility of Walsh racing in either the 200 fly or 100 breast on Friday, in addition to the 200 breast on Sunday.
In the women’s events, Ella Nelson and Aimee Canny from the University of Virginia hold the top seeds in the 400 IM and 200 free respectively. Nelson is the defending champion in the 400 IM, while Canny was the runner-up in the 200 free in 2023.
On the men’s side, Owen Lloyd (400 IM), Luke Miller (100 fly), and Chris Guiliano (200 free) hold the top seeds. Ramadan, the reigning champ in the 100 fly and the current national champion, will also be competing.
WOMEN’S 400 IM – PRELIMS
- NCAA Record: 3:54.60, Ella Eastin (Stanford) – 2018
- ACC Record: 3:57.25, Alex Walsh (Virginia) – 2022
- ACC Championship Record: 3:59.33, Ella Nelson (Virginia) – 2023
- NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 4:03.62
- 2023 NCAA Invite Time: 4:11.36
‘A’ Final Qualifiers:
- Ella Nelson (UVA), 4:09.07
- Ella Bathurst (UVA), 4:11.28
- Anna Keating (UVA), 4:12.36
- Kim Herkle (Louisville), 4:12.61
- Grace Sheble (NC State), 4:12.85
- Katherine Helms (NC State), 4:12.86
- McKenzie Campbell (GT), 4:13.64
- Rye Ulett (Louisville), 4:14.49
Virginia’s Ella Nelson leads the qualifiers for the women’s 400 IM. Her time of 4:09.07 in the prelims is two seconds faster than her closest competitor.
Despite the absence of Alex Walsh, the Virginia women have secured the top three seeds, indicating a strong final race to come.
MEN’S 400 IM – PRELIMS
- NCAA Record: 3:28.82, Leon Marchand (Arizona State) – 2023
- ACC Record: 3:38.00, Gal Nevo (Georgia Tech) – 2009
- ACC Championship Record: 3:38.43, Robert Owen (VA Tech) – 2017
- NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 3:38.90
- 2023 NCAA Invite Time: 3:42.99
‘A’ Final Qualifiers:
- Tommy Bried (Louisville), 3:42.36
- Owen Lloyd (NC State), 3:44.07
- Kyle Ponsler (NC State), 3:44.50
- Matthew Styczen (UVA), 3:44.60
- Max 3:45.07
Louisville’s Tommy Bried sets the pace in the men’s 400 IM prelims with a time of 3:42.36, securing the top spot for the final race.
Overall, the preliminary races have set the stage for an exciting final event at the 2024 ACC Championships. Stay tuned for more updates on the action!