Upcoming Event: Swimming & Diving versus Boston College on September 26, 2025 at 4 p.m. Diving / 5 p.m. Swimming
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4 p.m. Diving / 5 p.m. Swimming
Swimming & Diving
vs Boston College
Saturday, February 20
Chapel Hill, N.C.
All Day
Duke University
vs
Day Four
McCrory, Johnston Unanimously Most Valuable Divers
2/21/2010 10:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – As the 2010 Women's Swimming and Diving Championships came to a close on Saturday evening, the Blue Devils found themselves in a similar position as the last two years. With a final tally of 283 points, Duke's women took sixth in the conference as the Virginia women went on to win their third consecutive ACC Championship.
The women's 1650 freestyle was the first event of the evening finals, meaning Duke junior Ashley Twichell would take to the pool to defend her 2009 conference title. However, she had her hands full with Virginia Tech sophomore and 500 freestyle ACC Champion Erika Hajnal. After leading the race early, Twichell was not able to hold off the kick of Hajnal over the last 100 yards of the race. Twichell touched the wall less than one half second behind Hajnal, taking second place in an NCAA 'B' cut of 16:02.48. The time of 15:56.50 Twichell set at the meet last year remains the conference championship record. Senior Jackie Fasano ended her ACCs in impressive fashion, taking 15th place in the 1650 freestyle with a career-best time of 16:41.52.
Two freshmen powered Duke in the 200 backstroke. Emily Kintz swam to a 12th-place finish with a time of 1:59.47 while classmate Cara Vogel took 14th in a time of 1:59.87. Both women came in under the previous Duke record, but it will be Kintz's 1:59.47 that goes down in the books.
Three Blue Devils earned spots in the finals of the 200 breaststroke and made the most of their opportunity. The field of competitors was particularly talented this year as the top finisher broke the conference record and set an NCAA 'A' cut and a total of 17 swimmers achieved the NCAA 'B' standard. Despite the depth, senior Meredith Bannon took seventh place in a time of 2:15.25. Freshman Emily Barber finished in 16th place while junior Jessica Perry took 21st in a time of 2:18.71.
It was another top-eight finish for Shannon Beall in the 200 butterfly. The senior took eighth in a time of 2:01.01 while teammate Elizabeth Bellew turned in a season-best 2:01.19 for 12th place.
The Blue Devil divers wrapped up an impressive week of championships on Saturday with the platform competition at Duke's Taishoff Aquatics Pavilion. Freshman Nick McCrory broke the all-time ACC record in the event with his score of 523.95. The highlight of the record-setting performance was a dive that drew perfect ten's from all of the judges and inspired thunderous applause from spectators, competitors, and coaches alike.
Abby Johnston, traditionally a springboard specialist, proved her versatility taking seventh place in the platform competition. Senior teammate Julie Brummond narrowly missed the finals, locking up tenth place with a score of 208.95.
McCrory and Johnston were unanimously selected as the Most Valuable Divers of the championship.
On the week, McCrory collected numerous accomplishments; two first places (one-meter, platform), one second place (three-meter), two Duke records, two pool records, two championship meet records, and two conference records.
Johnston also won two events (one-meter, three-meter). The sophomore set two Duke records, two pool records, two championship records, and one conference record.
The men's ACC Swimming Championships will get underway on Wednesday, February 24 at North Carolina's Koury Natatorium.
Players Mentioned
Breastroke
/ Swimming & Diving
Breaststroke
/ Swimming & DivingFree/Fly/IM
/ Swimming & DivingFly/IM
/ Swimming & DivingDiving
/ Swimming & DivingDistance/Free
/ Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Swimming & Diving
Back/IM
/ Swimming & Diving
Diving
/ Swimming & DivingBreast/IM
/ Swimming & DivingFreestyle
/ Swimming & Diving
Backstroke
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