Absent of North Carolina’s Stephanie Peacock at this meet, the Virginia Cavaliers have opened up the floodgates already on day 2’s preliminary session at the 2013 ACC Women’s Championships.
Women’s 500 Free Prelims
Absent Peacock, who’s second in the country in the race, the Virginia Cavaliers put a hurt on this 500 free with five swimmers qualifying for the A-Final, plus a sixth as the top seed in the B-Final. That included a 1-2-3 preliminary finish from Kelly Offutt in 4:39.42, Alison Haulsee in 4:42.38, and Rachel Naurath in 4:42.71.
The race wasn’t a total loss for the Tar Heels, as sophomore Danielle Siverling was 4th in 4:43.62 followed by Jackie Rudolph in 4:44.57; for Rudolph that was a best time by three seconds.
Women’s 200 IM Prelims
This 200 IM was much the same story as the 500 free, and then some. The Virginia Cavaliers again had 5 swimmers in the A-Final, but this time it included a 1-4 seeding led by sophomores Ellen Williamson, Sarah White, and Shaun Casey in 1:57’s. Williamson is best known as a great individual butterflier and backstroker, but it’s being so good there and adding a quality but relaxed 34.9 breaststroke split that makes her so good in this IM – in a similar (though lower-level) fashion to what we see from the world’s top IM’ers like Ryan Lochte and Elizabeth Beisel.
North Carolina’s Cari Blalcok is the 5th seed in 1:58.87, and Virginia freshman Courtney Bartholomew was 6th in 1:59.56: expect Bartholomew to take her race out a little harder tonight and get into the 1:58’s.
Women’s 50 Free Prelims
Breaking up the total domination, at least momentarily, of the Virginia squad, Florida State’s Tiffany Oliver took the top seed in this women’s 50 free in 22.22, followed closely by Duke’s Lauren Weaver in 22.27. Virginia Tech’s Heather Savage is 3rd in 22.46, followed by Miami senior Celeste Degen in 22.51. In stark contrast to the 200 IM right before it, this will be a veteran-loaded final with three juniors and four seniors moving on in the top 8.
Virginia’s Lauren Perdue is 5th in 22.56; she’s been excelling more in the 100-200 freestyle than this 50 as her college career has gone along, she was the 2010 ACC Champion in this event as a freshman in 2010.
North Carolina State, along with Virginia, each got two into this A-Final; Florida State’s Kaitlyn Dressel was 9th in 22.71.
Wixted out for Duke this morning is also huge. She could win both 100 and 200 breast if healthy.
Where’s peacock?!
The official statement is “she’s unavailable for this meet.” No details, they can’t say if she’ll be back for NCAA’s. Just “she’s out”.