Virginia swimming faced off against North Carolina in its first home meet of this season this week, and the Cavaliers made certain to leave it all in the water. UVA swept the meet, with the women beating UNC 203-90 and the men winning 145-144.
Not only was it a record-breaking meet, but it was also a celebration of the 2024-2025 women’s National Championship team. Crowds packed the viewing platform, cheering as Cavalier alumni pulled a cord unveiling the team’s new 2025 NCAA National Championship banner. Check it out here:
UVA Shatters Pool Records Across The Board
The Cavaliers were electric in the pool, shattering 7 pool records in just 2 hours. The women’s team took down 3 marks and the men set 4 new times. Here is a look at the records:
- Aimee Canny broke the women’s 200 free record previously held by teammate Claire Curzan, going 1:41.85.
- Claire Curzan went 1:47.79 and beat her own record in the women’s 200 back.
- The women’s 200 Free Relay set a pool record in 1:25.77 (Claire Curzan, Anna Moesch, Sara Curtis, Bryn Greenwaldt).
- David King went 1:39.86 set the pool record in the men’s 200 back.
- Maximus Williamson broke the men’s 200 free record with a time of 1:32.32.
- Williamson set another record in the men’s 100 free. He went a 42.09 in the first leg of the men’s 400 free relay and broke teammate David King’s old record of 42.26.
- Thomas Heilman sets a new record in the men’s 100 fly, going 44.49.
“Both sides really performed a lot better than we had really hoped,” Virginia coach Todd DeSorbo said. “There were a lot of pool records broken. Like a lot. Any time pool records here are broken, it means a lot because you have the likes of Gretchen Walsh, Kate Douglass that are on some of those relay pool records for example and some of the guys’ pool records are really fast. So for us to be breaking pool records in October is really good. And really every event there was something special happening. ... It was just a great team effort.”
Cavalier Men Secure Nailbiting Win
The UVA and UNC men were neck and neck throughout much of the meet, but the Cavaliers prevailed and secured their first win of the season while breaking pool records. It marks a momentous flip against the Tar Heels. Virginia lost to UNC last year by 117 points with a final score of 208.5-91.5. This is also the men’s first dual meet victory since the 2023-2024 season, when the Hoos beat the University of Texas.
DeSorbo had told the team earlier in the day that it could come down to the last relay and it did. The quartet of Williamson, Thomas Heilman, Spencer Nicholas, and Josh Howat finished in 2:50.96 to capture the 400-Yard Freestyle Relay and provide the winning margin.
“I told the guys before the meet, it’s going to be close, it’s probably going to come down to the last relay - if you can get it there, we can win the relay,” DeSorbo said. “Just do your job through the meet so that we do have the chance to win the relay and win it on the last relay. That’s always fun. It’s exciting.”
Williamson and Heilman, two of the nation’s top freshmen, contributed on that relay and beyond. Williamson won the 200 and 500 freestyle. Heilman won the 100 and 200 fly. Even though it was their first home dual meet, the highly hyped freshmen lived up to the billing.
“We’ve been waiting two years for those guys. Those guys committed literally two years ago this month so we’ve been waiting a long time for that whole class,” DeSorbo said. “They’re everything they’ve been hyped up to be. Thomas and Maximus in particular are the real deal. The other guys are stepping up and rising to the occasion too. David King is swimming great. Spencer Nicholas. The rest of the guys are all elevating too because of them.”
Outstanding Individual Meet Performances
Many UVA swimmers had an exceptional meet, whether it was breaking records, going a personal best, or winning their event. Here are some of the top performances.
Freshman Sarah Curtis helped the Cavalier women sweep all 3 relays, anchoring the 200 medley relay with a 20.93 50 free, going a 21.47 on the 200 free relay, and ending the meet with a 100 free time of 47.74 on the 400 free relay.
Maximus Williamson not only set 2 pool records, but he also went the No. 2 time in the nation in the men’s 200 free that ranks him 4th in national standings for the NCAA. Williamson helped both the 200 free and 400 free relays secure 1st place against North Carolina.
Aside from breaking her own record, Claire Curzan secured a win for both of her relays, going a 21.95 50 fly in the 200 medley relay and a 21.47 50 free on the 200 free relay. Her free split on the women’s 200 free relay is currently the 2nd fastest time this season in the NCAA.
Sophomore David King swept his backstroke events, claiming 1st in the 100 back at 46.30, and in the 200 back with a 1:39.86, which is currently the fastest time this season in the NCAA. He also secured 2nd place in the 200 free at 1:32.87.
Aimee Canny showed her mid-distance strength, setting a new record in the 200 free at 1:41.85 and winning 200 breast with a time of 2:07.45, currently the 2nd best time in the nation for 2025. She also secured a top NCAA time in the 400 free relay, going a split of 47.96.
Pre–Meet Time Trials Excitement
Many Cavaliers started the day’s success before the meet even officially commenced, going unbelievably fast times for the beginning of the season. Some highlights from morning time trials are below.
Sara Curtis ripped a 21.18 50 free, becoming the 12th fastest performer in swimming history. She was just 0.01 off of Simone Manuel’s time from 2017.
Teammate Bryn Greenwaldt threw down a personal best in the 50 free with a 21.76. Greenwaldt saw a .15 second drop from her time from the DII National Championships this past March.
The 1000 freestyle also took place that morning but unlike the 50 free, it was a scored event and part of the dual meet that would take place later. The UVA women swept the event, with Aimee Canny taking first with a time of 9:35.38 and Leah Hayes taking 2nd at 9:43.63.
Nathan Szobota secured 2nd place in the men’s 1000 free in 9:10.38.
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