Live Recap of the Day 2 Finals Event

2025 ACC Swimming and Diving Championships: Exciting Finals Ahead

Heat Sheets for Wednesday Evening Finals

The 2025 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Swimming and Diving Championships kick off this evening with a thrilling finals session.

Fans can look forward to fast-paced swimming right from the start, with the inaugural event being the 200 freestyle relay. Last year, the Virginia women’s team set a new all-time record, and they enter today holding the fastest NCAA time for the current season, exceeding their nearest rivals by over a second. In the men’s competition, NC State, the current ACC titleholders, are set to compete fiercely against the Cal Bears, who return three members from last year’s NCAA runner-up team.

The first individual race will be the 500 freestyle. Both Stanford and Virginia have three competitors each in the A finals, with Stanford’s Aurora Roghair leading the morning session with a time of 4:34.79. The Cal men’s team is also represented by three swimmers in the A final, featuring Lucas Henveaux, who posted a time of 4:12.42 in lane 4.

Virginia’s Leah Hayes topped the 200 individual medley preliminaries with a strong performance of 1:54.18 this morning. However, Stanford is positioned to score significant points, having placed five women in the top eight. Interestingly, Virginia Tech’s Carles Coll Marti did not participate in the relays last night, yet he impressed with a top men’s time of 1:41.35 during prelims.

Last year, UVA’s Gretchen Walsh made history with the fastest 50 freestyle time at the ACC championships, followed by an even quicker swim at the NCAAs the following month. This year, she set herself up nicely with a prelim time of 20.87, securing the top seed by a considerable margin of nearly six-tenths of a second. On the men’s side, four swimmers broke the 19-second barrier in preliminaries, led by Cal’s Jack Alexy with a time of 18.71. The B- and C-finals also promise to be competitive, with only 0.19 seconds separating the swimmers ranked 8th to 24th, indicating many close races and impressive times in all three men’s 50 freestyle finals.

The evening session will conclude with the A final of the men’s 1-meter diving event. Stanford’s Jack Ryan qualified with the top score of 392.85 from prelims, but he’ll have to contend with a strong field, including 2023 champion Max Flory of Miami (FL) and Georgia Tech’s Max Fowler, who won the 3-meter event the previous night.

Women’s 200 Free Relay – Timed Finals

NCAA Record: 1:23.63, Virginia – 2024 ACC Championships
ACC Record: 1:23.63, Virginia – 2024 ACC Championships
ACC Championship Record: 1:23.63, Virginia – 2024
NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:28.42
NCAA ‘B’ Cut: 1:29.00

Top 8:

Virginia – 1:24.03 (A)
Louisville – 1:25.52 (A)
Stanford – 1:26.08 (A)
NC State – 1:26.52 (A)
Cal – 1:26.69 (A)
Pitt – 1:27.78 (A)
Virginia Tech – 1:28.18 (A)
Duke – 1:28.26 (A)

While it wasn’t a record-setting swim, the Virginia women delivered one of the quickest 200 free relays in history, finishing with a time of 1:24.03 and winning by nearly 1.5 seconds.

Claire Curzan began the relay with a time of 21.40, just shy of her lifetime best of 21.32 from an event a few weeks prior. Gretchen Walsh came close to breaking the 20-second barrier again, clocking in at 20.02 during the second leg. Her sister Alex Walsh contributed with a 21.23 on the third leg, followed by Maxine Parker anchoring in 21.38.

This marks the Cavaliers’ sixth consecutive title in this event, extending the longest ACC winning streak since UNC’s seven straight victories from 1990 to 1996.

Louisville finished second with a time of 1:25.52. Freshman Caroline Larsen led off in 21.71, followed by Julia Dennis, who joined G. Walsh in the sub-21 split category, recording a time of 20.78. Gabi Albiero clocked in at 21.60 on the third leg, while Ella Welch anchored at 21.43.

Torri Huske started strong for Stanford at 21.04, updating her lifetime best from 21.30, which positions her sixth all-time in the 50 free, pending today’s results. The Cardinal secured third place overall with a finish of 1:26.08.

All nine participating schools finished under the NCAA ‘A’ cut of 1:28.42.

Men’s 200 Free Relay – Timed Finals

NCAA Record: 1:13.35, Florida – 2023 NCAA Championships
ACC Record: 1:14.13, NC State – 2024 NCAA Championships
~~ACC Championship Record: 1:14.44, NC State – 2023~~
NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:16.80
NCAA ‘B’ Cut: 1:17.13

Top 8:

NC State – 1:14.29 (A)
Cal – 1:15.10 (A)
Virginia Tech – 1:15.53 (A)
Stanford – 1:15.79 (A)
FSU – 1:15.86 (A)
UNC – 1:15.88 (A)
Virginia – 1:16.61 (B)
SMU – 1:16.74 (B)

The NC State men’s team captured their third consecutive title in this event, shattering the meet record with a time of 1:14.29. Quintin McCarty opened with a personal best of 18.78, while the Wolfpack received solid splits from Jerry Fox (18.40) and Drew Salls (18.43), concluding with Luke Miller anchoring at 18.68. This victory marks NC State’s eighth title in the last twelve years for this event.

California’s relay featured two 19.1 splits from freshman Luca Battaglini (19.15) and fifth-year swimmer Destin Lasco (19.16), with Bjorn Seeliger contributing an 18.49 and Jack Alexy clocking in at 18.30, leading to a second-place finish of 1:15.10.

Virginia Tech was close behind Cal initially, with Youssef Ramadan opening in 19.10 and Brendan Whitfield following with an 18.57 split. However, they fell back slightly towards the end, with Mario Molla Yannes and Will Hayon achieving times of 18.92 and 18.94, respectively. Ultimately, the Hokies grabbed third place with a time of 1:15.53.

Stanford (1:15.79), Florida State (1:15.86), and North Carolina (1:15.88) also surpassed the NCAA ‘A’ cut of 1:16.80.

Women’s 500 Free – Final

NCAA Record: 4:24.06, Katie Ledecky (Stanford) – 2017 NCAA Championships
ACC Record: 4:28.90, Leah Smith (Virginia) – 2017 NCAA Championships
ACC Championship Record: 4:30.74, Leah Smith (Virginia) – 2016
NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 4:37.89
2024 NCAA Invite Time: 4:41.19

Top 8:

Katie Grimes (UVA) – 4:32.69
Aurora Roghair (Stanford) – 4:32.88
Cavan Gormsen (UVA) – 4:35.77
Aimee Canny (UVA) – 4:36.31
Maya Geringer (Cal) – 4:39.81
Kayla Wilson (Stanford) – 4:40.50
Amelia Bodenstab (Louisville) – 4:42.52
Natalie Mannion (Stanford) – 4:43.34

UVA freshman Katie Grimes took an early lead, maintaining a one-second advantage over Stanford’s Aurora Roghair for most of the race. Roghair closed in during the penultimate 50, and as they turned for the final lap, both swimmers flipped at exactly the same time. It was a close finish down the stretch, but Grimes managed to reach the wall first, clocking in at 4:32.69 compared to Roghair’s 4:32.88.

This marks a season-best for Grimes, although it’s a bit shy of her personal best of 4:28.27 from last year. She will retain her #4 ranking in the NCAA, while Roghair remains #3 with her season-best of 4:31.63 from earlier in the season.

The Cavaliers captured three of the top four positions, with Cavan Gormsen (4:35.77) and Aimee Canny (4:36.31) following closely in third and fourth. Gormsen previously won the title with a time of 4:38.43 last year. Stanford’s presence was strong as well, with three competitors reaching the A-final; Kayla Wilson (4:40.50) and Natalie Mannion finishing in 6th and 8th, respectively.

Cal’s Maya Geringer took 5th place with a time of 4:39.81, while Louisville’s Amelia Bodenstab secured 7th with a time of 4:42.52.

The B-final featured several fast swims, with three women finishing under 4:40, including freshmen Daria Golovaty from Louisville (4:39.25) and Bailey Hartman from UVA (4:39.36). NC State’s fifth-year swimmer Chase Travis was right behind them at 4:39.47.

Men’s 500 Free – Final

NCAA Record: 4:02.31, Leon Marchand (Arizona State) – 2024 NCAA Championships
~~ACC Record: 4:09.13, Anton Ipsen (NC State) – 2018 NCAA Championships~~
~~ACC Championship Record: 4:10.00, Matt McLean (Virginia) – 2009 ACC Championships~~
NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 4:10.64
2024 NCAA Invite Time: 4:14.90

Top 8:

Lucas Henveaux (Cal) – 4:08.83
Gabriel Jett (Cal) – 4:10.27
Henry McFadden (Stanford) – 4:12.33
Tyler Kopp (Cal) – 4:12.46
David King (UVA) – 4:13.43
Lance Norris (NC State) – 4:15.26
Jack Forrest (SMU) – 4:15.53
Owen Lloyd (NC State) – 4:18.35

Despite being part of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the top four finishers were all from Pacific Coast schools, with Cal’s Lucas Henveaux leading the pack with a time of 4:08.83. This performance not only broke a 15-year meet record but also surpassed Anton Ipsen’s conference record of 4:09.13 set in 2018.

Henveaux’s teammate Gabriel Jett finished second with a time of 4:10.27, while fellow Golden Bear Tyler Kopp significantly improved his personal best by over two seconds to achieve 4:12.46 and take fourth place. Brown’s Henry McFadden also achieved a lifetime best, finishing in third at 4:12.33.

UVA freshman David King followed up his school record from last night’s 800 free relay with a career-best 4:13.43. NC State secured points in the 6th and 8th positions with Lance Norris (4:15.26) and Owen Lloyd (4:18.35), while SMU’s Jack Forrest rounded off the top eight with a time of 4:15.53.

Women’s 200 IM – Final

NCAA Record: 1:48.37, Kate Douglass (Virginia) – 2023 NCAA Championships
ACC Record: 1:48.37, Kate Douglass (Virginia) – 2023 NCAA Championships
ACC Championship Record: 1:50.15, Kate Douglass (Virginia) – 2023
NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:53.66
2024 NCAA Invite Time: 1:57.03

Top 8:

Torri Huske (STAN) – 1:51.46
Caroline Bricker (STAN) – 1:52.96
Lea Polonsky (CAL) – 1:53.28
Leah Hayes (UVA) – 1:54.01
Lucy Bell (STAN) – 1:54.74
Lillie Nordmann (STAN) – 1:55.15
Emily Thompson (STAN) – 1:55.87
Fernanda Gomes Celidonio (LOU) – 1:56.75

Former Pac-12 teams excelled in the women’s 200 IM, claiming six of the eight final lanes. The standout performer, Torri Huske, powered to her first individual ACC title, dominating the race from start to finish. She recorded splits of 23.59/27.75/33.08/27.04, finishing with a time of 1:51.46, thereby becoming the fastest woman in the NCAA this season.

Stanford secured the top two podium positions, with Caroline Bricker delivering an impressive lifetime best of 1:52.96 for the silver medal, surpassing her previous best of 1:53.31 from the 2024 Pac-12 Championships. Lea Polonsky also achieved a season-best of 1:53.28 for third, marking a sweep of the top three spots for the Cardinal.

Virginia freshman Leah Hayes was the sole representative for the Cavaliers in the A final, as Alex Walsh withdrew before prelims. Hayes finished fourth in her first individual ACC final with a time of 1:54.01, meeting the NCAA invite time for 2024.

In addition to claiming the top two spots, Stanford also secured 5th and 6th places with Lucy Bell at 1:54.74 and Lillie Nordmann finishing in 1:55.15.

Men’s 200 IM – Final

NCAA Record: 1:36.34, Leon Marchand (Arizona State) – 2023 NCAA Championships
ACC Record: 1:39.35, Andreas Vazaios (NC State) – 2019 NCAA Championships
ACC Championship Record: 1:40.31, Arsenio Bustos (NC State) – 2023
NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:40.75
2024 NCAA Invite Time: 1:43.05

Top 8:

Carles Coll Marti (VT) – 1:40.95
Berke Saka (GT) – 1:41.77
Ron Polonsky (STAN) – 1:41.82
Louis Dramm (UNC) – 1:42.05
Spencer Nicholas (UVA) – 1:42.67
Destin Lasco (CAL) – 1:42.80
Richard Mihm (STAN) – 1:43.17
Mewen Tomac (CAL) – 1:43.29

After a second-place finish last year, Carles Coll Marti claimed the title in the men’s 200 IM, leading from the start to finish with a season-best of 1:40.95, coming up just 0.64 seconds shy of the meet record set by Arsenio Bustos two years ago.

Georgia Tech’s Berke Saka made a strong move on the breaststroke leg, posting the fastest split of the field at 28.98 to secure second place. He maintained this position through the freestyle leg with a 25.37 split, although competitors like Ron Polonsky, Louis Dramm, Spencer Nicholas, and Destin Lasco all registered sub-25 second splits on their freestyle swims.

While Polonsky, Dramm, and Lasco have all clocked times under 1:41 this season, Nicholas’ 1:42.67 marked a lifetime best for him, trimming a couple of tenths from his prelims swim. Throughout the season, he has displayed a strong performance, particularly in his primary butterfly events, entering this meet with a best of 1:44.99 before arriving at UVA.

Women’s 50 Free – Final

NCAA Record: 20.37, Gretchen Walsh (Virginia) – 2024 NCAA Championships
ACC Record: 20.37, Gretchen Walsh (Virginia) – 2024 NCAA Championships
ACC Championship Record: 20.57, Gretchen Walsh (Virginia) – 2024
NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 21.58
2023 NCAA Invite Time: 22.11

Top 8:

Gretchen Walsh (UVA) – 20.60
Julia Dennis (LOU) – 21.08
Claire Curzan (UVA) – 21.26
Sophie Yendell (PITT) – 21.30
Caroline Larsen (LOU) – 21.63
Gabi Albiero (LOU) – 21.71
Mary-Ambre Moluh (CAL) – 21.88
Tatum Wall (DUKE) – 21.95

As expected, Walsh showcased her skill in the 50 freestyle event, although she did not break her personal best and missed her meet record by three-tenths of a second. Nonetheless, Walsh still secured her victory by a substantial margin of 0.48 seconds.

The Virginia women achieved a 1-3 finish in this event, as Claire Curzan recorded a bronze time of 21.26. This swim represents a new personal best for her, improving upon her previous time of 21.32 from a relay at the Eddie Reese Showdown last month.

Louisville’s sprint star, Julia Dennis, was the only competitor to disrupt the Cavalier 1-2 finish, reaching the wall in a time of 21.08. Dennis improved significantly from her prelim time of 21.44 and her previous best of 21.60, dropping a remarkable 0.52 seconds within a single day.

Men’s 50 Free – Final

NCAA Record: 17.63, Caeleb Dressel (Florida) – 2018 NCAA Championships
ACC Record: 18.49 Chris Guiliano (Notre Dame) – 2024 NCAA Championships
ACC Championship Record: 18.57, Chris Guiliano – 2024
NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 18.72
2024 NCAA Invite Time: 19.13

Top 8:

Quintin McCarty (NC State) – 18.63
Jack Alexy (CAL) – 18.74
Jerry Fox (NC State) – 18.83
Brendan Whitfield (VT) – 18.92
Larry Salls (NC State) – 19.00
Samuel Bork (NC State) – 19.06
Patrick Foy (UNC) – 19.18
Bjorn Seeliger (CAL) – 19.43

While Cal sprinters were favored heading into this event, Quintin McCarty flipped expectations on their head by triumphing in the men’s 50 freestyle over Olympic medal contender Jack Alexy, posting a winning time of 18.63.

McCarty was primed for a stellar performance following a prelim time of 18.81, which was just shy of his personal best from the 2023 NC State Invite. He managed to shave off 0.17 seconds from his lifetime best during the finals to beat Alexy by just 0.11 seconds.

Alexy successfully broke under the 19-second mark for the first time this season during prelims with an 18.71 but slightly missed that mark in the finals, finishing at 18.74. Meanwhile, NC State’s sophomore Jerry Fox also achieved his first-ever sub-19 second swim during the preliminaries with an 18.97, further enhancing his best in the finals with a third place finish at 18.83. Larry Salls was the third swimmer from NC State to complete the final, finishing fifth with a time of 19.00, just a hundredth away from his personal best.

Brendan Whitfield finished fourth, rounding out the athletes who achieved sub-19 second swims in the ‘A’ final, with a time of 18.92, not far from his prelim time of 18.89.