University of Virginia Class Relays
- September 15, 2023
- SCY (25 yards)
- Aquatic And Fitness Center, Charlottesville, Virginia
The college season has barely begun, and the University of Virginia is already starting to do University of Virginia things. On Friday morning, the team did men’s and women’s class relays, where freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors each formed a 200 medley relay and competed against each other.
On the men’s side, the senior squad of Will Cole, Noah Nichols, Matt Brownstead, and August Lamb won in a time of 1:28.62. Sophomores Claire Curzan, Emma Weber, Carly Novelline, and Aimee Canny won on the women’s side in a time of 1:39.29.
All swimmers were unsuited for this competition.
Full Results:
Women:
- Claire Curzan (24.32), Emma Weber (28.39), Carly Novelline (24.15), Aimee Canny (22.43) — 1:39.29
- Alex Walsh (24.72), Anna Keating (28.97), Abby Harter (23.97), Maxine Parker (22.50) — 1:40.24
- Reilly Tiltmann (25.58), Ella Bathurst (28.98), Abby Kapeller (24.91), Gretchen Walsh (20.84) — 1:40.31
- Tess Howley (25.91), Aimee Crosbie (29.59), Maggie Schalow (25.17), Cavan Gormsen (22.91) — 1:43.58
Men:
- Will Cole (22.84), Noah Nichols (24.07), Matt Brownstead (21.62), August Lamb (20.09) — 1:28.62
- Jack Aikins (22.84), Matt Syczen (25.93), Tim Connery (21.25), Connor Boyle (20.24) — 1:30.26
- Braeden Haughey (23.49), Kammal Muhammad (25.20), Patrick Gilhool (22.14), Sebastien Sergile (20.00) — 1:30.83
- Will Thompson (23.34), Jay Gerloff (25.98), Simon Lins (21.94), Hayden Belotti (20.40) — 1:31.66
Of course, the most notable highlight from this competition was Gretchen Walsh‘s 20.84 anchor leg, which is just 0.01 off her flat start best. At the 2023 NCAA Championships, only two swimmers, UVA alum Kate Douglass and LSU alum Maggie MacNeil, were able to outdo Walsh’s split on Friday. Walsh is known for swimming fast times in-season and in a practice suit, but it’s still eye-popping whenever she does it.
Top transfer Curzan also made her UVA debut on this relay, leading off her relay with a 24.32 backstroke leg (the fastest in her field). She announced her transfer from Stanford to Virginia in August and arrived in Charlottesville this fall, but will not compete in official NCAA meets this season because she entered the transfer portal past the winter sports deadline this year. She is doing a year in residence, which means she is still part of the team and going to classes at UVA but not swimming at official meets.
Another big UVA transfer, fifth-year Jasmine Nocentini, was not a part of these relays despite being a sprinter, as she had a schedule conflict with class. Anthony Grimm, a big transfer on the men’s side, did not compete because he was sick.
On the men’s side, former 100-breast ACC record holder Nichols had the fastest breaststroke split by over a second. Also of note is sophomore Sebastien Sergile swimming the fastest anchor leg in the field (20.00), as he is better known for being a mid-distance swimmer but beat out his sprinter teammates August Lamb, Connor Boyle, and Hayden Bellotti (who all have faster 50 free PBs than Sergile).
Top recruits in the high school class of 2023 such as #4 Cavan Gormsen, #5 Tess Howley, Best Of The Rest Maggie Schalow, and Honorable Mention Bellotti all raced in school colors for the first time.
Virginia begins their season on October 13 against Florida in Gainesville.
Douglass is going to the World Cup somewhere, I guess not? since it will not compete with Virginia
Sergile could be a dark horse this season. Well coached through high school at Swim Atlanta and hungry to to be a force Sophomore season. Excited to see this team grow on the men’s side.
Welcome to the Gretchen show!
Gretchen Walsh swims like a girl.
Like a boss.
They could’ve had a 5th year women’s relay too with Maddie Donohoe, Ella Nelson, Kate Douglass, and Jasmine Nocentini (and yes fact checkers, I know KD is not competing in college anymore but she still trains at UVA and Claire Curzan participated but isn’t competing this year either).
Is Claire Curzan redshirting ?
From the article: Top transfer Curzan also made her UVA debut on this relay, leading off her relay with a 24.32 backstroke leg (the fastest in her field). She announced her transfer from Stanford to Virginia in August and arrived in Charlottesville this fall, but will not compete in official NCAA meets this season because she entered the transfer portal past the winter sports deadline this year. She is doing a year in residence, which means she is still part of the team and going to classes at UVA but not swimming at official meets.
Can Claire Curzan swim exhibition in dual meets ,, does the opposing coach and officials have to agree ?
WTF Gretchen, you can’t do us like that.
damn I know it’s only the beginning of the season and there’s still 27 weeks until NCAA’s but it wouldn’t shock me if she splits under 20
She will liklely lead off both 200 relays so she probably won’t get the chance.
She also swims very fast in season in a practice suit.
She doesn’t drop as much as others, so it’s unlikely she’ll split 19 for these reasons.
Sounds like reasons why she’ll lead off in 19.9 at a dual meet…
Art – Please do not ruin a great story with truth!