Men's Swimming To Begin ACC Championship Action Wednesday

DURHAM, N.C. - The Duke men's swimming team will begin action at the 2007 ACC Championships on Wednesday evening at the University of North Carolina's Koury Natatorium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Action will start with the 800 freestyle and 200 medley relay finals at 7 p.m.

The Duke men are coming off a 170-121 loss to Clemson on Feb. 3. Senior Kevin Arthofer was a double-winner versus the Tigers, as he posted a victory in the 100 breaststroke, touching in 59.01, and in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:07.46.

In diving competition, freshman Eric Winnard took first on the 1-meter board, posting a score of 287.02.

The Duke men finished the regular season at 4-5 (1-4 ACC).

“The men have really improved this year and are coming off a strong dual meet season, and we just hope to continue these types of performances into the ACC meet this coming week,” said head coach Dan Colella. “The women had a great showing last week and I am confident that the men will continue with that type of excellence starting Wednesday night.”

The 2006 ACC Championships saw the Duke men place ninth, as the Blue Devils tallied 99 points. Then-senior Billy Pearce established a new 200 backstroke record in the finals, touching in 1:49.45, while Arthofer lowered his own 100 breaststroke record, finishing in 56.14 in the consolation finals. Virginia claimed its eighth consecutive ACC title, edging runner-up Florida State by just 8.5 points.

The 2007 ACC Men's Swimming Championships will be held on Feb. 21-24, with preliminaries starting each day - with the exception of Wednesday - at 11 a.m., and finals set to begin at 7 p.m.

- d u k e -