University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Virginia (Women)
Freshman Carly Smith Breaks School Record In 100 Backstroke
January 23, 2010 | Swimming & Diving
Jan. 23, 2010
- Smith Talks About Her School Record Swim (mp3)
- Conversation with Laura Moriarty after setting three season bests (mp3)
- Comments from head coach Rich DeSelm (mp3)
- Follow The 2010 ACC Swimming & Diving Championships at the ACC.com
- Download The 2009-10 UNC Swimming & Diving Media Guide
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The 15th-ranked Tar Heel women's swimming and diving team fell to 11th-ranked Virginia 185-113 at Koury Natatorium in dual meet action Saturday afternoon as Carolina lost for the first time in ACC action this season. Freshman Carly Smith led the Tar Heels' efforts by winning the 100-yard backstroke, breaking a school record which had stood for 10 years.
"Our effort was genuine. This Virginia team is probably the best they have had in awhile," said head coach Rich DeSelm. "We had a few outstanding swims by women who have struggled with injuries this season. These athletes that are true gamers will find a way to fight through the pain and we had a few women do that today."
The women began the meet with the 200-yard medley relays coming in both second and third. The Tar Heels' "A" relay posted a season best time with an NCAA "B" qualifying time with their second place finish in 1:41.75.
The 200-yard freestyle was a close race, but Junior Katura Harvey was able to get her hand on the wall first, finishing in a time of 1:49.31, her season best.
The top three finishers in the 100-yard backstroke dominated the race, finishing two full seconds ahead of the rest of the field. Tar Heel freshman Carly Smith finished in second place while breaking the old UNC school record of 53.92 set by Christy Watkins in 2000. Smith's time of 53.51 was also her personal best time.
"I was very excited to break the school record without resting or wearing a fast suit," said Smith. "The whole week I have been looking at the record board wanting to see my name up there. The whole season we have prepared for this meet and today was the day to lay it on the line."
Smith swam another strong race in the 200-yard backstroke, finishing in second again with a season best time of 1:57.31. Smith swam her third individual event of the afternoon in the 100-yard butterfly and accomplished a season best in that as well with a 56.03 clocking.
"Carly's record-breaking swim was absolutely amazing. Christy Watkins' record had stood for a long time, but Carly really dialed in today and came up with an outstanding swim," said DeSelm.
Sophomore Laura Moriarty claimed a victory in the 200-yard breaststroke going 2:13.19 which was her season best effort by two seconds. Moriarty also achieved a season best time in the 200-yard butterfly, touching in second with time of 1:59.51, an NCAA "B" qualifying time.
"Laura Moriarty had a great meet. She has had some nagging injuries all season, but was able to pull through this afternoon," said DeSelm.
The Tar Heel divers competed at a high level all day on the other end of the pool, claiming first and second on the one-meter board. Freshman Chay Malvasio finished first with 274.88 points and teammate Jenna Moore followed in second with 265.80.
Rebecca Kane touched in second place in both sprint freestyle events. Kane tied her season best time in the 50 free with a 23.00 and went her season best time in the 100 finishing in 50.33.
The Tar Heel divers dominated the three-meter board with a 1-2-3-4 finish. Alex Hamilton took first place followed by Chay Malvasio, Jenna Moore and Kristin Arnold, respectively.
Laura Moriarty finished in third place for the Tar Heels in the 200-yard IM, going a season best time of 2:03.48, making that her third season best time on the afternoon.
"I was surprised with my three season best times, but I was also impressed by our team effort. We really stepped up and are closing the gap between UNC and UVA," said Moriarty. "ACC Championships is what we are concentrating on. We are going to get mentally pumped, push each other and really believe in ourselves in order to come out on top."
Both Tar Heel women and men head to Duke tomorrow to swim the Blue Devils with a Carlyle Cup point on the line. UNC currently leads the all-sports competition 6.5-2.5. The Heels will be back in action for Senior Night at Koury Natatorium at 6 p.m. on February 5 to compete against the Wolfpack from N.C. State.
Individual Event Winners
Women 200-yard medley relay: UVA 1:39.38
Women 1000-yard freestyle: Jen Narum (UVA) 9:49.37
Women 200-yard freestyle: Katura Harvey (UNC) 1:49.31
Women 100-yard backstroke: Mei Christensen (UVA) 52.93
Women 100-yardbreaststroke: Christine Olsen (UVA) 1:03.31
Women 200-yard butterfly: Elizabeth Shaw (UVA) 1:57.44
Women 50-yard freestyle: Lauren Perdue (UVA) 22.40
Women 1-meter diving: Chay Malvasio (UNC) 274.88
Women 100-yard freestyle: Lauren Perdue (UVA) 48.78
Women 200-yard backstroke: Mei Christensen (UVA) 1:56.36
Women 200-yard breaststroke: Laura Moriarty (UNC) 2:13.19
Women 500-yard freestyle: Jen Narum (UNC) 4:49.16
Women 100-yard butterfly: Lauren Smart (UVA) 53.99
Women 3-meter diving: Alex Hamilton (UNC) 364.60
Women 200-yard IM: Elizabeth Shaw (UVA) 2:01.65
Women 400-yard freestyle relay: UVA 3:19.77
Players Mentioned
