2024 ACC Championships: Day 5 Finals Live Recap

2024 ACC SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Tuesday, February 20 to Saturday, February 24, 2023
• Greensboro Aquatic Center, Greensboro, North Carolina
• Defending Champions: NC State men / Virginia women
• Full Event Schedule
• Championship Central
• Live Results
• Live Streaming
• Day 1 Finals Recap
• Day 2 Prelims Recap | Day 2 Finals Recap
• Day 3 Prelims Recap | Day 3 Finals Recap
• Day 4 Prelims Recap | Day 4 Finals Recap
• Day 5 Prelims Recap

On the final night of the 2024 ACC Championships, we’ve got exciting showdowns in the 1650 free, 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, and 400 free relay.

Virginia’s Reilly Tiltmann is the fastest qualifier for the women’s 200 back final, but will face tough competition in the form of defending champion Kennedy Noble. Noble claimed the title last year in 1:50.24, which stands as her best time, but Tiltmann has been as quick as 1:49.63 in the event. The men’s 200 back will feature 4 Wolfpack swimmers and 3 Notre Dame athletes, with NC State’s Daniel Diehl (1:39.58) qualifying 1st earlier today. Diehl posted a time of 1:39.58 in the heats, which lowered his previous best time of 1:39.62.

Gretchen Walsh is the clear frontrunner in the women’s 100 free, as she has already set NCAA records in the 50 free, 100 fly, and 100 back earlier in the meet. Keep an eye on the NCAA record tonight, as her best time of 45.61 is just 0.05 outside Simone Manuel’s 45.56 NCAA record.

Notre Dame’s Chris Guiliano posted a huge prelim swim in the men’s 100 free, lowering Ryan Held’s 2018 ACC record in the event. Guiliano swam 40.84 to qualify 1st, representing the first ever ACC athlete to swim under 41 seconds. He has already won the 50 and 200 free races here in Greensboro, so he can make it a sweep of his individual events if he wins tonight.

The 200 breaststrokes will also showcase some exciting races. Virginia’s Ella Nelson (2:06.04) was the fastest athlete this morning, but teammate Alex Walsh (2:06.07) is in good form here in Greensboro, as she broke the 200 fly (1:49.16) NCAA record last night. Five Cavaliers will line-up for tonight’s final in the event, with two Duke swimmers and one Louisville representative. The men’s breaststroke field is quite loaded, with ACC record holder Carles Coll Marti (Virginia Tech), defending champion Denis Petrashov (Louisville), and top qualifier AJ Pouch (Virginia Tech) among the names to watch.

The NC State men have a comfortable lead over the rest of their competitors, sitting atop the team standings with 1063.5 points. Notre Dame (746.5 points) is currently in 2nd place while Virginia Tech (666.5 points) is in a tight race with Louisville (664 points) for 3rd. The Virginia women (1178.5 points) are over 300 points ahead of 2nd place NC State (869 points), with Louisville (841 points) in close pursuit for runner-up status.

WOMEN’S 1650 FREESTYLE — TIMED FINAL

• NCAA Record: 15:03.31, Katie Ledecky (STAN) — 2017 Art Adamson Invitational
• ACC Record: 15:25.30, Leah Smith (UVA) — 2016 ACC Championships
• ACC Championship Record: 15:25.30, Leah Smith (UVA) — 2017 ACC Championships
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 15:52.41
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 16:13.73

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Cavan Gormsen (UVA) – 16:07.50
2. Chase Travis (VT) – 16:08.74
3. Emma Hastings (NCST) – 16:09.26
4. Madelyn Donohoe (UVA) – 16:13.18
5. Maggie Graves (ND) – 16:16.78
6. Sophia Knapp (UVA) – 16:19.58
7. Brooke Travis (NCST) – 16:22.20
8. Yara Hierath (NCST) – 16:26.72

After winning the 500 free on the second night, Virginia freshman Cavan Gormsen doubled up on distance wins. She took control of the race early on, but was overtaken by NC State’s Emma Hastings with 200 yards to go. Gormsen battle back over the final 100, touching in 16:07.50 for the win. Gormsen owns a best time of 15:57.20 in the event, which she recorded in December of 2022.

Virginia Tech’s Chase Travis dropped a 26.74 final 50 split, overtaking Hastings for runner-up status. Travis touched in a final time of 16:08.74, while Hastings finished in 16:09.26. Hastings’ time was just shy of her 16:08.90 lifetime best from this meet a year ago.

UVA and NC State both had two additional swimmers in the top eight. Madelyn Donohoe (16:13.18) and Sophia Knapp (16:19.58) placed 4th and 6th for Virginia, while Brooke Travis (16:22.20) and Yara Hierath (16:26.72) earned 7th and 8th for the Wolfpack. The last member of tonight’s top eight was Maggie Graves of Notre Dame. Graves finished 5th in 16:16.78, about five seconds off her best time from last month.

The fastest time of the early heats was recorded by UNC’s Lilian Reader. She hit the wall in a time of 16:27.62, dropping almost 8 seconds from her 16:35.53 entry time. She had a tight battle with Louisville’s Paige Kuwata, who ultimately touched 2nd in the heat (16:28.09).

MEN’S 1650 FREESTYLE — TIMED FINAL

• NCAA Record: 14:12.08, Bobby Finke (FL) — 2020 SEC Championships
• ACC Record: 14:24.43, Anton Ipsen (NCST) — 2018 NCAA Championships
• ACC Championships Record: 14:27.93, Zachary Yeadon (ND) — 2020 ACC Championships
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 14:37.31
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 14:53.84

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Ross Dant (NCST) – 14:39.34
2. Ilia Sibirtsev (LOU) – 14:47.31
3. James Plage (NCST) – 14:47.41
4. Mert Kilavuz (GTCH) – 15:00.77
5. Tyler Watson (LOU) – 15:06.23
6. Charles Perks (GTCH) – 15:09.34
7. Kyle Ponsler (NCST) – 15:11.47
8. Jonathan Naber (VT) 15:14.21

DQ: Owen Lloyd (NCST) – 14:37.04

Owen Lloyd of NC State clocked a massive best time of 14:37.04 to touch the wall 1st. However, he was issued a disqualification for “interfering with another swimmer.” After Lloyd touched the wall, he got on the lane rope and entered the lane of teammate Ross Dant. Not all swimmers had touched the wall in the heat yet, which is why the disqualification was initiated. It’s important to note that Dant had already finished his race, but other swimmers in the heat did not, so you are still not allowed to another lane.

With that said, Ross Dant was promoted to the gold medal winner with his time of 14:39.34. Louisville’s Ilia Sibirtsev had a very tight race with NC State’s James Plage the whole way, just Sibirtsev touched in 14:47.31 to Plage’s 14:47.41, both dropping time from their respective entries.

Nobody else was under the 15-minute mark tonight, with Mert Kilavuz of Georgia Tech almost dipping under in 15:00.77, taking 4th overall.

WOMEN’S 200 BACKSTROKE – FINALS

• NCAA Record: 1:47.24, Beata Nelson (WISC) – 2019 NCAA Championships
• ACC Record: 1:49.09, Alexia Zevnik (NCST) – 2017 NCAA Championships
• ACC Championship Record: 1:49.61, Alexia Zevnik (NCST) – 2017 ACC Championships
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 1:50.50
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 1:53.34

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Reilly Tiltmann (UVA) – 1:50.64
2. Kennedy Noble (NCS) – 1:50.95
3. Caroline Bentz (VT) – 1:52.23
4. Paige Hetrick (LOU) – 1:52.33
5. Madelyn Christman (ND) – 1:53.67
6. Carmen Weiler Sastre (VT) – 1:53.93
7. Tess Howley (UVA) – 1:54.08
8. Emma Karam (UNC) – 1:55.24

After being dethroned at the 2023 ACC Championships, Virginia’s Reilly Tiltmann reclaimed her 200 backstroke title. Trailing for most of the race, she charged home over the final 25 to touch ahead of defending champion Kennedy Noble. Tiltmann touched in 1:50.64 to Noble’s 1:50.95, with Tiltmann closing in 27.93 over the final 50 compared to Noble’s 29.33. Noble led by a full second at both the 100 and 150 turns.

Caroline Bentz of Virginia Tech touched 3rd for a podium appearance, finishing with a time of 1:52.23. It was a close race for the final medal, as Lousiville’s Paige Hetrick touched a tenth back in 1:52.33.

A pair of 1:53 performances earned Madelyn Christman (Notre Dame) and Carmen Weiler Sastre (Virginia Tech) 5th and 6th. Christman hit the wall in 1:53.67 while Weiler Sastre got her hand on the wall in a time of 1:53.93.

Butterfly specialist Tess Howley, a freshman at Virginia, touched in 1:54.08 for 7th place status. Emma Karam of UNC rounded out the top eight, clocking 1:55.24 in the process.

MEN’S 200 BACKSTROKE – FINALS

• NCAA Record: 1:35.73, Ryan Murphy (CAL) – 2016 NCAA Championships
• ACC Record: 1:37.31, Coleman Stewart (NCST) – 2020 ACC Championships
• ACC Championship Record: 1:37.31, Coleman Stewart (NCST) – 2020 ACC Championships
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 1:39.13
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 1:40.62

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Tommy Janton (ND) – 1:39.21
2. Daniel Diehl (NCST) – 1:39.30
3. Kacper Stokowski (NCST) – 1:40.67
4. Hunter Tapp (NCST) – 1:40.97
5. Marcus Gentry (ND) – 1:41.15
6. Nicolas Garcia (VT) – 1:41.79
7. Tanner Filion (ND) – 1:41.82
8. James Ewing (NCST) – 1:42.82

Tommy Janton of Notre Dame showcased the strongest opening speed, flipping through the first 50 in a time of 22.85. He held his lead through the 100 (47.85), but Daniel Diehl took over the lead at the 150. Janton battled back on the final lap though, showcasing a very strong underwater to surge him to victory. Janton touched in 1:39.21 for gold, with Diehl dropping his second best time of the day (1:39.30).

Kacper Stokowski and Hunter Tapp made it a 2-3-4 finish for the Wolfpack, touching in 1:40.67 and 1:40.97, respectively. Marcus Gentry (1:41.15) and Tanner Filion (1:41.82) of Notre Dame contributed 5th and 7th place showings, significantly contributing to Notre Dame’s 2nd place positioning in the overall point standings.

Virginia Tech’s Nicolas Garcia hit the wall in 1:41.79 for 6th overall, while (1:42.82) of NC State finished a bit shy of his prelim time for 8th.

FSU’s Arijus Pavlidi had a big swim from lane three in the B-final, hitting the wall in 1:41.70. It was a nice drop from his 1:42.30 prelim time, and was well under his 1:43.35 entry time.

WOMEN’S 100 FREESTYLE – FINALS

• NCAA Record: 45.56, Simone Manuel (STAN) – 2017 NCAA Championships
• ACC Record: 45.61, Gretchen Walsh (UVA) – 2023 NCAA Championships
• ACC Championship Record: 45.86, Kate Douglass (UVA) – 2023 ACC Championships
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 47.18
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 48.37

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Gretchen Walsh (UVA) – 45.16
2. Jasmine Nocentini (UVA) – 46.78
3. Katharine Berkoff (NCST) – 46.81
4. Gabi Albiero (LOU) – 47.28
5. Christiana Regemaier (LOU) – 47.52
6. Julia Dennis (LOU) – 47.84
7. Maxine Parker (UVA) – 47.92
8. Lucy Mehraban (LOU) – 48.09

Gretchen Walsh grabbed her FIFTH (she broke the 50 free record twice) individual NCAA record of the meet. She stopped the clock in 45.16 to obliterate Simone Manuel’s 100 free NCAA, American, and U.S. Open records from 2017. Walsh took the race out very strong, turning through the 50 in 21.42 before closing in 23.74. With her performance, Walsh now holds the NCAA records in the 50 free, 100 free, 100 fly, and 100 back, in addition to several relays.

Walsh’s teammate, Jasmine Nocentini, put her hand on the wall in 46.78. It was a 0.44 drop from prelims but was 0.03 shy of her best time. Regardless, she made it a 1-2 punch for the Cavaliers. Teammate Maxine Parker checked-in at 47.92, which earned her 7th.

NC State’s Katharine Berkoff finished in the only other sub-47 second performance, recording a final time of 46.81. Her time undercut the 46.87 she put on the books at last year’s NCAA Championships, marking her third best time of the meet.

Louisville sprint trio Gabi Albiero (47.28), Christiana Regenauer (47.52), and Julia Dennis (47.84) placed 4th through 6th, with teammate Lucy Mehraban (48.09) clocking in at 8th.

MEN’S 100 FREESTYLE – FINALS

• NCAA Record: 39.90, Caeleb Dressel (FLOR) – 2018 NCAA Championships
• ACC Record: 40.84, Chris Guiliano (ND) — 2024 ACC Championships
• ACC Championship Record: 40.84, Chris Guiliano (ND) — 2024 ACC Championships
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 41.50
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 42.32

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Chris Guiliano (ND) – 40.62
2. Luke Miller (NCST) – 41.50
3. Brendan Whitfield (VT) – 41.61
4. Youssef Ramadan (VT) – 41.68
5. Matthew Brownstead (UVA) – 41.85
6. Quintin McCarty (NCST) – 41.88
7. Sam Hoover (NCST) – 42.19
8. Jerry Fox (NCST) – 42.20

After his ACC record preliminary performance, Chris Guiliano of Notre Dame reset the mark in tonight’s final. He hit the wall in 40.62, lowering his 40.84 morning effort. He took the race out much faster tonight, flipping in 19.03 at the 50 turn compared to 19.51 earlier today.

Splits Comparison:

Luke Miller (41.50) of NC State claimed the silver medal with a personal best time, with teammates Quintin McCarty (41.88), Sam Hoover (42.19), and Jerry Fox (42.20) taking 6th, 7th, and 8th.

Virginia Tech had a great showing too, with Brendan Whitfield (41.61) claiming bronze ahead of 100 fly winner Youssef Ramadan (41.68). Virginia’s Matt Brownstead also competed tonight, placing 5th in a sub-42 performance of 41.85.

WOMEN’S 200 BREASTSTROKE – FINALS

• NCAA Record: 2:01.29, Kate Douglass (UVA) – 2023 NCAA Championships
• ACC Record: 2:01.29, Kate Douglass (UVA) – 2023 NCAA Championships
• ACC Championship Record: 2:03.02, Alex Walsh (UVA) – 2022 ACC Championships
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 2:05.73
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 2:09.68

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Alex Walsh (UVA) – 2:02.24
2. Ella Nelson (UVA) – 2:04.29
3. Anna Keating (UVA) – 2:07.97
4. Kaelyn Gridley (DUKE) – 2:08.48
5. Kim Herkle (LOU) – 2:08.61
6. Aimee Canny (UVA) – 2:08.73
7. Emma Weber (UVA) – 2:10.54
8. Sarah Foley (DUKE) – 2:10.85

After her record-breaking 200 fly yesterday, Alex Walsh just clocked 2:02.24 en route to ACC 200 breast gold. Walsh’s time rockets her to the 2nd fastest performer ever in the event, with only Kate Douglass clocking a time faster than her swim tonight. The swim also breaks her own Championship Record and is a third-straight ACC title in the event.

The win gives her 25 career ACC title, matching her former teammate Kate Douglass.

Walsh attacked the race from the start, turning in 58.92 through the first 100 before splitting 31.40 and 31.92 on the final two 50s.

It was a 1-2-3 finish for the Cavaliers, with Ella Nelson (2:04.29) and Anna Keating (2:07.97) rounding out the podium. Two additional Cavaliers raced in the final, as Aimee Canny (2:08.73) and Emma Weber (2:10.54) hit the wall in 6th and 7th.

Duke’s Kaelyn Gridley had a strong showing to place 4th, clocking-in at 2:08.48. She owns a best time of 2:06.26 in the event, which she posted en route to 6th there. Louisville’s Kim Herkle finished closely behind her, placing her hands on the wall in 2:08.61. Gridley’s teammate, Sarah Foley, touched 8th overall in 2:10.85.

MEN’S 200 BREASTSTROKE – FINALS

• NCAA Record: 1:46.91, Leon Marchand (ASU) – 2023 NCAA Championships
• ACC Record: 1:49.69, Carles Coll Marti (VT) – 2022 NCAA Championships
• ACC Championship Record: 1:50.51, Denis Petrashov (UL) – 2023 ACC Championships
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 1:51.09
• 2023 NCAA Invited Time: 1:52.94

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Carles Coll Marti (VT) – 1:50.08
2. Denis Petrashov (LOU) – 1:50.81
3. Arsenio Bustos (NCST) – 1:51.53
4. AJ Pouch (VT) – 1:51.90
5. Noah Nichols (UVA) – 1:53.06
6. Max Iida (UVA) – 1:53.49
7. Tommaso Baravelli (FSU) – 1:54.04
8. Benjamin Delmar (UNC) – 1:54.34

ACC record holder Carles Coll Marti stole the show in tonight’s 200 breast, winning in a time of 1:50.08. His time checks-in just outside the ACC record, which he sat at 1:49.49 back at the 2022 NCAA Championships. His teammate and top qualifier from this morning, AJ Pouch, showcased consistency in 4th, clocking his second 1:51 swim of the day.

The defending champion, Denis Petrashov of Louisville, touched for 2nd place in a final time of 1:50.81. His winning time from last year (1:50.51) also stands as his best time, so he was just 0.30 outside that standard here today.

Arsenio Bustos of NC State, one of the most versatile swimmers in the NCAA, claimed 3rd with a new best time (1:51.53). He touched for gold in the 200 IM on night two and also added a 17th place showing in the 200 free.

Noah Nichols and Max Iida added 5th and 6th place finishes for UVA, swimming times in the 1:53-range. Nichols won the 100 breast in 50.89 yesterday, defending his title from a year ago.

Tommaso Baravelli (FSU) and Benjamin Delmar (UNC) rounded out the field in 7th and 8th, swimming 1:54s.

MEN’S PLATFORM DIVING — FINAL

• ACC Record: 548.90, Nick McRory, Duke — 2011
• ACC Championships Record: 523.95, Nick McRory, Duke — 2010

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Cameron Cash (PITT) – 448.95 points
2. Farouk Farouk (MIA) – 410.35 points
3. Ben Nguyen (ND) – 406.70 points
4. David Vargas Garcia (FSU) – 383.00 points
5. Jackson Salisbury (PITT) – 378.85 points
6. Max Fowler (GTCH) – 364.35 points
7. Carlo Lopez Hernandez (ND) – 363.60 points
8. Jacob Fisher (VT) – 323.70 points

Cameron Cash collected his second diving gold medal of the meet, scoring 448.95 points to win platform diving. He won the 3-mtr competition earlier in the meet and also placed 10th on the 1-mtr.

Farouk Farouk of Miami (410.35 points) and Ben Nguyen of Notre Dame (406.70 points) rounded out the podium.

WOMEN’S 400 FREESTYLE RELAY — FINAL

• NCAA Record: 3:05.84 — Virginia (K. Douglass, A. Walsh, M. Parker, G. Walsh) (2023)
• ACC Record: 3:05.84 — Virginia (K. Douglass, A. Walsh, M. Parker, G. Walsh) (2023)
• ACC Championship Record: 3:06.83 — Virginia (G. Walsh, K. Douglass, L. Cuomo, A. Walsh) (2023)
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 3:14.10
• 2024 NCAA ‘B’ Standard: 3:16.25

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Virginia – 3:07.34 (NCAA ‘A’ Cut)
2. Louisville – 3:10.18 (NCAA ‘A’ Cut)
3. NC State – 3:12.40 (NCAA ‘A’ Cut)
4. Virginia Tech – 3:13.65 (NCAA ‘A’ Cut)
5. Duke – 3:15.00
6. Miami – 3:15.45
7. Pitt – 3:15.92
8. FSU – 3:16.11

Virginia completed their sweep of the 2024 ACC relays, winning the 400 free relay by almost three seconds. Jasmine Nocentini (46.77), Gretchen Walsh (45.40), Alex Walsh (47.05), and Maxine Parker (48.05) teamed up to post a time of 3:07.34, just off the 3:06.83 meet record from last year.

Louisville clocked-in at 3:10.18, taking a comfortable 2nd place. Lucy Mehraban (48.32), Gabi Albiero (47.18), Christiana Regenauer (46.90), and Julia Dennis (47.78) represented the Cardinals.

NC State claimed the bronze medal, with Katharine Berkoff leading them off in a quick 46.91, touching in close pursuit of Nocentini. Abby Arens (48.00), Kennedy Noble (49.13), and Annabel Crush (48.36) finished things off for the Wolfpack.

Virginia Tech posted an NCAA ‘A’ cut time en route to 4th, with Carmen Weiler Sastre‘s lead-off time (48.18) representing their fastest split.

MEN’S 400 FREESTYLE RELAY — FINAL

• NCAA Record: 2:44.07 — Florida (J. Liendo, A. Chaney, J. Smith, M. McDuff) (2024)
• ACC Record: 2:44.31, NC State — 2018 NCAA Championships
• ACC Championships Record: 2:45.69, NC State — 2018 ACC Championships
• 2024 NCAA ‘A’ Standard: 2:50.44
• 2024 NCAA ‘B’ Standard: 2:51.86

Top 8 Finishers:

1. Notre Dame – 2:45.58 (NCAA ‘A’ Cut)
2. NC State – 2:46.22 (NCAA ‘A’ Cut)
3. Virginia Tech – 2:46.77 (NCAA ‘A’ Cut)
4. Virginia – 2:49.64 (NCAA ‘A’ Cut)
5. FSU – 2:49.95 (NCAA ‘A’ Cut)
6. Georgia Tech – 2:50.18 (NCAA ‘A’ Cut)
7. Louisville – 2:50.38 (NCAA ‘A’ Cut)
8. Pitt – 2:52.34

Notre Dame ended their great Greensboro showing with a big relay win. Chris Guiliano led them off 40.87, his third sub-41 swim on the day. Tanner Filion (41.61), Tommy Janton (41.97), and Abdelrahman Elaraby (41.13) brought things home for the Fighting Irish.

NC State and Virginia Tech made it a close race the whole way, with the Wolfpack (2:46.22) touching 2nd ahead of VT (2:46.77). Quintin McCarty anchored NC State in 40.74 to try to catch Elaraby, but the Notre Dame lead was too much to overcome.

Final Team Standings

Women:

1. Virginia — 1637.5 points
2. Louisville — 1145 points
3. NC State — 1106 points
4. North Carolina — 786.5 points
5. Duke — 779.5 points
6. Virginia Tech — 632.5 points
7. Florida State — 531 points
8. Notre Dame — 493 points
9. Georgia Tech — 450 points
10. Pittsburgh — 407 points
11. Miami — 391 points

Men:

1. NC State — 1499.5 points
2. Notre Dame — 1038.5 points
3. Virginia Tech — 960.5 points
4. Louisville — 885.5 points
5. Virginia — 768.5 points
6. Florida State — 762 points
7. Pittsburgh — 647 points
8. North Carolina — 616 points
9. Georgia Tech — 575.5 points
10. Duke — 287 points
11. Miami — 122 points