Courtesy: Duke Athletics
DURHAM – The Duke swimming and diving program opens the 2021-22 season against ACC foe Virginia Tech at 1 p.m. on Friday at Christiansburg Aquatic Center in Blacksburg, Va.
KNOW THE OPPONENT
Virginia Tech enters the meet ranked in the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America poll as the men are No. 12 and the women are No. 18.
The Blue Devils and Hokies also met to open the 2020-21 season. Duke’s men came up short, 171.5-120.5, while the women tied Virginia Tech, 150-150. It was the first tie in the women’s program’s 49-year history.
In the two program’s series, the Blue Devil men lead the Hokies 17-12 all-time but are in search of their first win over Virginia Tech since 1991. On the women’s side, the Duke and Virginia Tech series is tied at 7-7-1 all-time.
DUKE WOMEN IN THE POLLS
The Duke women’s team will begin the 2021-22 season ranked 24th in the country, per the October edition of the CSCAA TYR Poll. Duke was ranked to enter the season for the seventh consecutive year.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Live stats will be updated throughout the meet HERE. Results will also be available on Meet Mobile. The meet will not be live streamed.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
In accordance with Virginia Tech campus guidelines, masking is recommended indoors regardless of vaccination status.
POWERHOUSE RETURNERS
Three All-Americans return for the Blue Devils in senior Maddi Pullinger (one-meter diving), junior Emma Shuppert (100 backstroke) and junior Ali Watson (platform diving). On the men’s side, seniors David Hallaron, Cole Reznick and Matthew Whelan return as the school record holders in the 500 freestyle, 200 individual medley and 200 freestyle, respectively.
PREPPED AND READY
The Blue team won the annual Duke swimming and diving program’s Blue versus White meet with a combined meet score of 232.5-161.5 on Saturday at Taishoff Aquatics Pavilion.
Senior Cole Reznick touched first in three individual events, the 50 breaststroke, 100 individual medley and the 150 breaststroke. Reznick also teamed up with freshman Evan Greer, junior Charlie Gingrich and junior Brad Sanford to place first in the 400 medley relay.
Seniors David Hallaron and Matthew Whelan also sported strong showings for the White team. Hallaron placed first in the 150 backstroke and 150 freestyle. Whelan was the top finisher in the 150 butterfly, while tying junior Charlie Gingrich in the 50 butterfly. Hallaron and Whelan teamed up with Coleman Kredich and Zach McIntyre to touch first in the 200 freestyle relay.
Freshman Yixuan Chang placed first in two individual events to lead the women Blue Devils. She took the top spot in the 150 butterfly and 800 freestyle. The rookie also helped two relay teams place first, the 400 medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay.
Sophomore Catherine Belyakov also secured a pair of first place finishes. A native of Gaithersburg, Md., she placed first in the 100 individual medley and the 150 breaststroke in addition to touching second in the 50 breaststroke.
OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAINS
Earlier this fall, head coach Dan Colella announced the election of seven team captains for the 2021-22 season. The women’s captains are seniors Lucy Callard and Maddi Pullinger and junior Olivia Tighe. Seniors David Hallaron and Cole Reznick and juniors Coleman Kredich and Will Tenpas will lead the men’s team.
WELCOME NEWCOMERS
Duke welcomes 15 newcomers to the squad, 12 freshmen and three transfers. The three transfers are graduate students Alicia Harrison (California Berkeley) and Justin Sodokoff (Dartmouth) and junior Brad Sanford (Michigan State).
UP NEXT
Following Duke’s meet against the Hokies, the Blue Devils return to Durham for their home opener. Duke will host Boston College and UNC Wilmington on Friday and Saturday, October 29-30. Friday night’s meet is set to begin at 5 p.m. with the conclusion of the meet coming Saturday at 11 a.m. Duke’s meet will be open to the public.
FOLLOW ALONG
For more information on Duke swimming and diving, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for “DukeSwimDive”.