Virginia Records Smashed At Annual Cavalier Invite

This past weekend, the Virginia swimming and diving program hosted its 5th Annual Cavalier Invite. The teams included UVA, William & Mary, Princeton, James Madison, Richmond, South Carolina, St. Bonaventure, Towson, Johns Hopkins, and Army. The meet lasted 3 days and was unscored.

The Cavalier Invite is somewhat known as a “first chance” meet, as many of the teams’ top swimmers suit up in the hopes of going fast times in preparation for the looming championship season. This year was no different, as many personal and season bests were set throughout the meet. It also serves as a final, championship-style, meet for swimmers who aren’t slated to swim at the conference championships.

Record-Breaking Swims

On the last day of the invitational, UVA freshman Katie Grimes broke the AFC’s longest-standing swimming record in the 1,650 free. Swimming in a time trial, Grimes went a 15:53.40, breaking the old record of 15:58.46, which was set by Cara Lane in 2001.

Claire Curzan set a pool record of 1:41.99 in the 200 Free finals, the fourth fastest time in the NCAA for this season.

During the 100 breast preliminaries, Gretchen Walsh set a new pool record at 57.34, smashing her old lifetime best of 59.75. Her record was quickly broken that night by her sister, Alex Walsh, who went 56.85, with Gretchen close behind at 56.86.

Notable Events

Virginia came through with more big swims at the Cavalier Invite too. Some of the highlights included:

• In the women’s 100 fly, Carly Novelline placed first with a season-best of 51.83. Maggie Schalow got second with a personal best of 52.04, while Anna Moesch came home in 3rd at 53.13.
• On the men’s side, Simon Lins similarly won the 100 fly with a season-best of 47.09. Matthew Styczen (48.37) got 2nd and Colin Bitz (48.66) went a personal best, earning him 3rd.
• Sophomore Claire Curzan won the 200 women’s free at 1:41.99. Katie Grimes finished 2nd at 1:44.89 (SB) with Maxine Parker (1:45.94) in 3rd and Bailey Hartman (1:46.74) in 4th.
• Tristen Davin (1:35.84) and Noah Dyer (1:36.51) took 1st and 2nd, respectively, in the men’s 200 free.
• Alex Walsh (56.85) and Gretchen Walsh (56.86) went 1 and 2 in the 100 breast. The sisters were followed by 4 other Cavaliers (Aimee Canny, Zoe Skirboll, Emma Weber, and Emma Redmen), leading to the biggest event sweep at the invitational.
• Freshman David King won the men’s 100 back with a personal best of 45.51. He was followed by fellow Cavaliers Alex Hotta (47.20), and Teddy Cross (47.22).

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