Florida Gators vs. Virginia Cavaliers SCM Dual Meet Live Recap

By Sophie Kaufman on SwimSwam

Florida vs. Virginia

• October 18, 2024
• Charlottesville, Virginia
• 25 Meters (SCM)

We hope that you haven’t had your fill of short course meters after an exciting first day of the Swimming World Cup series in Shanghai because there’s more on the menu today as the No. 3/3 Florida Gators travel to Charlottesville to face the No. 11/1 Virginia Cavaliers.

It’s a special day for Virginia, especially for the women’s team celebrating their 50th anniversary all weekend and unveiling their 2024 NCAA championship banner before the beginning of the meet. If you aren’t at the AFC to collect a bucket hat or “Four-Peat” tie-dye rally towel, there’s still the intrigue of the SCM set-up to enjoy. Not only does it mean that there’s a 100 IM time trial to enjoy towards the end of the meet, but there will be SCM relays, and the meet will serve as a stepping stone for those on the Virginia and Florida rosters who will race in Budapest at the Short Course World Championships in December.

Virginia hosted Navy for a double intrasquad meet where each program was broken into two teams. However, this is both Virginia and Florida’s first “traditional” match-up of the 2024-25 season and both teams are suited up.

Diving took place at 10 am ET. Florida’s Camila Monroy won the women’s 3-meter with 346.28 points as the Gators went 1-3 as Casey Greenberg scored 303.00 points. The Gators did even better on the men’s 1-meter board as Peyton Donald and Conor Gesing went 1-2 for the Gators with 353.70 and 342.38 points, respectively.

The meet is available to stream through the ACC Network on ESPN+.

Women’s 200m Medley Relay

• American Record: 1:42.38 — United States (O. Smoliga, K. Meili, K. Dahlia, M. Comerford) (2018)
• U.S. Open Record: 1:49.02 — Auburn Tigers (J. Anderson, L. Swander, M. Hoelzer, E. Coparropa) (2004)

1. Virginia ‘A’ (G. Walsh, Skirboll, Curzan, Parker) – 1:44.14 U.S Open Record
2. Florida ‘A’ (Sims, Mayne, Peoples, Cronk) – 1:45.13
3. Virginia ‘B’ – 1:46.30
4. Virginia ‘C’ – 1:49.95
5. Virginia ‘D’ – 1;50.37
6. Florida ‘B’ – 1:50.67

After some MeetMobile trouble, we’ve got the official results for the women’s 200 medley relay. In the first event of the meet, Gretchen Walsh got things started with a bang, breaking the 50 backstroke American record with a 25.37. Her Virginia teammate Claire Curzan owned the previous record, which she set at 25.54 back at the 2022 SC World Championships.

After Walsh got the Cavaliers off to an early lead, Zoe Skirboll split 30.00 on breaststroke, Curzan split 24.52 on fly, and Maxine Parker anchored in 24.25 on freestyle. The team combined for a 1:44.14, shattering the U.S. Open record which had stood since 2004 courtesy of the Auburn Tigers.

Because NCAA swimmers don’t often race SCM, it’s not surprising that the top three teams were all under the old U.S Open record. Florida’s team of Bella Sims (26.22), Molly Mayne (29.71), Olivia Peoples (25.04), and Micayla Cronk (24.16) took second in 1:45.13, almost a full second behind Virginia’s ‘A’ team.

Men’s 200m Medley Relay

• American Record: 1:30.37 — United States (R. Murphy, N. Fink, S. Casas, M. Andrew) (2022)
• U.S. Open Record: 1:34.25 — Auburn Tigers (D. Van Wie, M. Gangloff, F. Bousquet, D. Gibb) (2004)

1. Florida ‘A’ (Marshall, Smith, Liendo, Fullum-Huot), 1:31.31 US Open 
2. Virginia ‘A’ (Aikins, Nichols, Nicholas, Boyle), 1:32.38
3. Florida ‘B’, 1:34.02
4. Virginia ‘B’, 1:35.91
5. Florida ‘C’, 1:37.25
6. UVA ‘C’, 1:38.18
7. Florida ‘D’, 1:38.67

MeetMobile hasn’t updated yet, so we’re going off the scoreboard that the stream shows and the names that the announcers give us, which doesn’t have the names of the athletes on each relay or the splits of each swimmer. But one thing is clear: the Florida ‘A’ relay smashed the U.S. Open record with a 1:31.31, breaking the record that the Auburn Tigers had held since the 2004 NCAA Championships held in SCM.

We do know that sophomore Jonny Marshall gave the Gators the lead after the backstroke leg. It was Julian Smith versus Noah Nichols on the breaststroke leg; Nichols closed the gap a bit but Josh Liendo quickly extended it again during the butterfly. From there it was all Florida, and Ed Fullum-Huot anchored in 20.91, as they broke the U.S. Open record by 2.94 seconds.

The top three teams were all under the former U.S. Open record, with the Virginia ‘A’ relay grabbing second in 1:32.38 and the Florida ‘B’ relay grabbing the third spot in 1:34.02.

Men’s Running Score: Florida – 42, Virginia – 13

Women’s 800m Freestyle

• American Record: 7:57.42 — Katie Ledecky, United States (2022)
• U.S. Open Record: 7:57.42 — Katie Ledecky, United States (2022)

1. Cavan Gormsen (UVA), 8:21.55
2. Michaela Mattes (FLOR), 8:21.79
3. Mabel Zavaros (FLOR), 8:25.84
4. Camille DeBoer (FLOR), 8:33.33
5. Sophia Knapp (UVA), 8:34.29
6. Anna Auld (FLOR), 8:40.22
7. Elise Clift (UVA), 8:54.56

In a thrilling race that came down to the touch, Virginia’s Cavan Gormsen edged out Florida’s Michaela Mattes for the win in the women’s 800m freestyle. Mattes held the lead through the bulk of the race, but the sophomore Gormsen refused to go away and steadily closed the gap over the closing meters of the race.

The two came under the flags together and at the wall, Gormsen took maximum points in 8:21.55, .24 seconds ahead of Mattes. But the Gators went 2-3-4 with Mattes, Mabel Zavaros, and Camille DeBoer to put the Gators ahead of the Cavaliers.

Women’s Running Score: Florida – 28, Virginia – 27

Men’s 800m Freestyle

• American Record: 7:30.41 — David Johnston, United States (2022)
• U.S. Open Record: 7:36.24 — Pál Joensen, Team Europe (2011)

1. Luke Whitlock (FLOR), 7:47.76
2. Andrew Taylor (FLOR), 7:50.64
3. Josh Parent (FLOR), 7:53.29
4. Fred Lindholm (FLOR), 7:53.78
5. Amadeusz Knop (FLOR), 7:58.60
6. Bobby Dinunzio (FLOR), 8:03.50
7. Sam O’Brien (UVA), 8:07.08
8. Peter Thompson (UVA), 8:09.28

Florida distance went to work in the men’s 800 freestyle as the Gators put together a first through sixth sweep. Paris Olympian Luke Whitlock collected the first win of his collegiate career, pulling ahead of reigning SEC champion in the 1650 freestyle, sophomore Andrew Taylor, to earn the win.

Whitlock touched in 7:47.76, while Taylor took second in 7:50.64.

Men’s Running Score: Florida – 73, Virginia – 20

Women’s 200m Freestyle

• American Record: 1:51.81 — Mallory Comerford, United States (2018)
• U.S. Open Record: 1:51.19 — Siobhan Haughey, Hong Kong (2022)

1. Aimee Canny (UVA), 1:54.13 African Record
2. JoJo Ramey (FLOR), 1:55.42
3. Leah Hayes (UVA), 1:55.73
4. Anna Moesch (UVA), 1:56.10
5. Emma Weyant (FLOR), 1:56.38
6. Julia Heimstead (FLOR), 1:58.50
7. Reilly Tiltmann (UVA), 1:58.80

Leah Hayes jumped out to the early lead in the women’s 200 freestyle. But Aimee Canny and JoJo Ramey began to close the gap on the third 50. Canny completely pulled away from there, building to the win in 1:54.13. It’s a new African record for Canny, who held the old record at 1:54.89, which she swam back in 2021.

Ramey and Hayes were separated by just over three-tenths as Ramey got her hand on the wall second for the Gators. Virginia notched a 1-3-4 finish with Canny and the freshmen Hayes and Anna Moesch to continue to build their overall lead.

Women’s Running Score: Virginia – 51, Florida – 42

Men’s 200m Freestyle

• American Record: 1:40.49 — Townley Haas, Cali Condors (2020)
• U.S. Open Record: 1:41.58 — Alexander Graham, London Roar (2019)

1. Jake Mitchell (FLOR), 1:43.52
2. Oskar Lindholm (FLOR), 1:44.69
3. David King (UVA), 1:44.75
4. Gio Linscheer (FLOR), 1:45.85
5. Sebastien Sergile (UVA), 1:46.68
6. Devin Dilger (FLOR), 1:48.02
7. Hayden Belotti (UVA), 1:48.76
8. Tristen Davin (UVA), 1:50.97

Jake Mitchell got the job done for the Gators in the 200 freestyle, leading a Gators 1-2 finish. He earned the win in 1:43.52, taking the event win by over a second ahead of his teammate Oskar Lindholm. Freshman David King took third in the event, swimming a 1:44.75 to finish just .06 seconds behind Lindholm.

Women’s 100m Backstroke

• American Record: 55.04 — Olivia Smoliga, Cal Condors (2020)
• U.S. Open Record: 55.09 — Minna Atherton, London Roar (2019)

1. Gretchen Walsh (UVA), 54.89 American Record, U.S Open Record
2. Catie Choate (FLOR), 57.23
3. Charlotte Wilson (UVA), 58.11
4. Zoe Dixon (FLOR), 58.63
5. Kate Morris (UVA), 59.40
6. Carly Meeting (FLOR), 1:00.16
7. Abby Kapeller (UVA), 1:02.43

Walsh is two for two in American records so far at this meet. First, she set the American record in the 50 backstroke leading off the 200 medley relay, now she’s taken ownership of the 100 backstroke American record. Walsh brought both the American and U.S. Open records under 55 seconds for the first time; in the former, she took down Olivia Smoliga‘s 55.04 from the 2020 ISL season with a 54.89.

Walsh separated herself from the field immediately, splitting 26.84/28.05 en route to the win.

Florida sophomore Catie Choate was the best of the rest, finishing in second in 57.23, 2.34 seconds behind Walsh. Choate was clear of everyone else besides Walsh, as it was Charlotte Wilson who took third in 58.11, almost a second behind Choate.

Running Women’s Score: Virginia – 64, Florida – 48

Men’s 100m Backstroke

• American Record: 48.33 — Coleman Stewart, Cali Condors (2021)
• U.S. Open Record: 48.92 — Matt Grevers, United States (2015)

1. Jonny Marshall (FLOR), 50.46
2. Jack Aikins (UVA), 51.01
3. Scotty Buff (FLOR), 51.62
4. Aiden Norman (FLOR), 51.69
5. Caleb Maldari (FLOR), 52.51
6. Will Thompson (UVA), 52.59
7. Teddy Cross (UVA), 53.79
8. Alex Hotta (UVA), 53.84

Marshall led off the Gators’ U.S. Open record, giving them the lead heading into the breaststroke leg. He followed that up by dominating the 100 backstroke, taking the win in 50.46. For reference, the British record is a 50.14, set by Liam Tancock in 2009.

In his return to NCAA dual meet racing, Jack Aikins took second in 51.01, while the Gators took 3-4-5 in addition to first place. Scotty Buff led the 3-4-5 trio, ahead of Aiden Norman who swept the backstrokes at Junior Pan Pacs for Canada this summer.

Men’s Running Score: Florida – 87, Virginia – 25

Women’s 100m Breaststroke

• American Record: 1:02.50 — Lilly King, Cali Condors (2020)
• U.S. Open Record: 1:02.77 — Ruta Meilutyte, Lithuania (2022)

1. Emma Weber (UVA), 1:05.27
2. Zoe Skirboll (UVA), 1:05.59
3. Molly Mayne (FLOR), 1:07.55
4. Grace Rainey (FLOR), 1:08.56
5. Anna Keating (UVA), 1:08.88
6. Anna Moore (FLOR), 1:08.89
7. Gracie Weyant (FLOR), 1:09.11
8. Katie Christopherson (UVA), 1:10.22

Paris Olympian Emma Weber earned the win for the Virginia Cavaliers with a 1:05.27, touching .32 seconds ahead of her teammate Zoe Skirboll as the Cavaliers continue to grow their overall lead in the dual meet. There were two heats of the women’s 100 breaststroke, and Weber earned the win by splitting 31.14 and 34.13.

Sophomore Molly Mayne was the top finisher for Florida, taking third in 1:07.55–two seconds behind Skirboll by over a second ahead of her teammate Grace Rainey.

Men’s 100m Breaststroke

• American Record: 55.56 — Nic Fink, Cali Condors (2021)
• U.S. Open Record: 55.92 — Adam Peaty, London Roar (2019)

1. Julian Smith (FLOR), 57.27
2. Noah Nichols (UVA), 57.84
3. Aleksas Savickas (FLOR), 58.62
4. Raphael Rached Windmuller (FLOR), 59.75
5. Cam Abaqueta (FLOR), 1:00.99
6. Matthew Heilman (UVA), 1:01.02
7. Jay Gerloff (UVA), 1:01.25
8. Tim Connery (UVA), 1:01.83

Julian Smith was out fast in the men’s 100 breaststroke final, turning at the 50 meter mark in 27.07, ahead of Virginia upperclassmen Noah Nichols. Nichols was out in 27.32, but couldn’t close the gap to Smith, who continued to outsplit him on the second 50. Smith was 30.20 on the way home, taking the win in 57.27 while Nichols split 30.52 to stop the clock at 57.84.

Men’s Running Score: Florida – 101, Virginia – 30

Women’s 200m Butterfly

• American Record: 2:01.73 — Kelsi Dahlia, United States (2018)
• U.S. Open Record: 2:03.39 — Cammile Adams, United States (2015)

1. Tess Howley (UVA), 2:04.65
2. Bella Sims (FLOR), 2:04.85
3. Lainy Kruger (FLOR), 2:07.83
4. Addison Reese (FLOR), 2:09.75
5. Bailey Hartman (UVA), 2:09.81
6. Carly Novelline (UVA), 2:11.22
7. Maggie Schalow (UVA), 2:12.25

Bella Sims went out fast like we’ve seen her do so often, taking the early lead in the women’s 200 butterfly. But event specialist Tess Howley began to slowly reel Sims in, and the two came down the final stretch together. At the wall, Howley got the better of the Tokyo Olympian by two-tenths, winning the event for Virginia in 2:04.65. Sims led a 2-3-4 finish for the Gators in 2:04.85.

Women’s Running Score: Virginia – 88, Florida – 62

Men’s 200m Butterfly

• American Record: 1:48.66 — Tom Shields, LA Current (2020)
• U.S. Open Record: 1:48.77 — Daiya Seto, Energy Standard (2019)

1. Mason Laur (FLOR), 1:55.00
2. Joaquin Gonzalez Pinero (FLOR), 1:56.26
3. Matt Cairns (FLOR), 1:57.94
4. Sean Sullivan (FLOR), 1:58.67
5. Colin Bitz (UVA), 1:58.78
6. Matt Styczen (UVA), 1:59.47
7. Dillon Wright (FLOR), 2:01.22
8. Harry Belcher (UVA), 2:03.69

Mason Laur controlled the men’s 200 fly, separating himself from his teammate Joaquin Gonzalez Pinero to win the event in 1:55.00. This was a rather spread out event, as after 200 fly specialist Laur, Gonzalez Pinero finished 1.26 seconds behind for second place.

This was another dominant event for the Gators as not only did they get the event win, they took the top four spots in the event. Matt Cairns, a freshman from Great Britain, finished third. Coming from the international scene, Cairns has had more experience in SCM than most U.S.-based NCAA swimmers but he was still able to show off the gains he’s already made at Florida, swimming a lifetime best 1:57.94. Previously, his lifetime best was 1:59.16 from December 2023.

Women’s 50m Freestyle

• American Record: 23.44 — Abbey Weitzeil, LA Current (2021)
• U.S. Open Record: 23.10 — Kasia Wasick, Poland (2022)

1. Gretchen Walsh (UVA), 23.10 American Record, T-U.S. Open 
2. Maxine Parker (UVA), 24.66
3. Micayla Cronk (FLOR), 25.16
4. Olivia Peoples (FLOR), 25.28
5. Aspen Gersper (UVA), 25.33
6. Kayleigh Duffy (UVA), 25.76
7. Lilly Daley (FLOR), 26.04
8. Carly Meeting (FLOR), 26.05

Make that three American records for Walsh. She exploded here in the women’s 50 freestyle, blasting away from the field to set a new American record and tie the U.S Open record held by Kasia Wasick. She chopped .34 seconds off the American record, which Abbey Weitzeil had held at 23.44 since 2021.

Maxine Parker finished second for Virginia, 1.56 seconds–yes, in a 50–behind Walsh. She was the only other swimmer to break 25 seconds, as Micayla Cronk finished third in 25.16, with her fly specialist teammate Olivia Peoples touching in 25.28 for fourth.

Women’s Running Score: Virginia – 102, Florida – 67

Men’s 50m Freestyle

• American Record: 20.16 — Caeleb Dressel, Cali Condors (2020)
• U.S. Open Record: 20.24 — Caeleb Dressel, Cali Condors (2019)

1. Josh Liendo (FLOR), 20.88
2. Ed Fullum-Huot (FLOR), 21.47
3. Alex Painter (FLOR), 21.50
4. Connor Boyle (UVA), 22.05
5. Spencer Nicholas (UVA), 22.14
6. Paul Dardis (FLOR), 22.22
7. Simon Lins (UVA), 22.41
8. Jack Madoch (UVA), 22.46

Josh Liendo was dominant in the men’s 50 freestyle. From an outside lane, Liendo blasted a 20.88, just missing his Canadian record of 20.76 from the 2021 SC World Championships. The Gator men have been dominant from the start of this meet, and that was on display here in the 50 freestyle as they swept the top three spots.

Men’s Running Score: Florida – 133, Virginia – 36

Women’s 100m Freestyle

• American Record: 51.26 — Abbey Weitzeil, LA Current (2020)
• U.S. Open Record: 51.00 — Siobhan Haughey, Hong Kong (2022)

1. Anna Moesch (UVA), 53.04
2. Maxine Parker (UVA), 53.63
3. Micayla Cronk (FLOR), 54.33
4. Lainy Kruger (FLOR), 54.68
5. Addison Reese (FLOR), 55.05
6. Aspen Gersper (UVA), 55.62
7. Lilly Daley (FLOR), 56.42
8. Kate Morris (UVA), 54.72

Freshman Anna Moesch won the women’s 100 freestyle, beating her teammate Maxine Parker. Moesch swam 53.04, splitting 25.86/27.18 to secure the victory. Parker wasn’t too far behind Moesch at the 50, flipping in 25.91, but couldn’t hang with the freshman on the final 50 meters. She took second in 53.63, while Micayla Cronk swam 54.33 for third.

Men’s 100m Freestyle

• American Record: 45.08 — Nathan Adrian/Caeleb Dressel, USA/Cali Condors (2009/2020)
• U.S. Open Record: 45.22 — Caeleb Dressel, Cali Condors (2019)

1. Julian Smith (FLOR), 47.60
2. Alex Painter (FLOR), 47.70
3. Ed Fullum-Huot (FLOR), 48.76
4. Connor Boyle (UVA), 48.84
5. Alex Hotta (UVA), 49.62
6. Jack Madoch (UVA), 49.93
7. Noah Dyer (UVA), 49.96

DQ: Paul Dardis (FLOR)

Outside smoke as Smith added to his event victories on the day. Smith helped the Gators win the 200 medley to open the meet, followed up with a win in the 100 breaststroke and has now added a victory in the 100 freestyle.

Smith out-touched his teammate Alex Painter by a tenth, swimming 47.60 to Painter’s 47.70. Like they did in the 50 free, the Gators went 1-2-3 here in the 100 free, as Ed Fullum-Huot, also a member of the record-setting medley relay–swam 48.76 to grab third, .08 seconds ahead of Connor Boyle.

Men’s Running Score: Florida – 149, Virginia -30

Women’s 200m Backstroke

• American Record: 2:00.03 — Missy Franklin, United States (2011)
• U.S. Open Record: 1:59.57 — Katinka Hosszu, Team Europe (2015)

1. Claire Curzan (UVA), 2:01.02
2. Catie Choate (FLOR), 2:03.67
3. JoJo Ramey (FLOR), 2:04.84
4. Zoe Dixon (FLOR), 2:06.63
5. Ella Bathurst (UVA), 2:06.86
6. Mabel Zavaros (FLOR), 2:07.02
7. Reilly Tiltmann (UVA), 2:09.01
8. Tess Howley (UVA), 2:09.36

And just like that, Claire Curzan has her first official individual NCAA dual meet win as a Virginia Cavalier. She left no doubt that she would take the victory, pulling away from the pack of Gators pushing the pace. Curzan touched in 2:01.02, not too far off her lifetime best 2:00.53 from the 2022 SC World Championships.

Even without Sims in the race, the 200 backstroke is a speciality for the Gators and they showed it by taking 2-3-4 with Choate, Ramey, and Zoe Dixon. Choate added another second place to her slate for the day, swimming a 2:03.67.

Women’s Running Score: Virginia – 125, Florida – 82

Men’s 200m Backstroke

• American Record: 1:46.68 — Ryan Lochte, United States (2010)
• U.S. Open Record: 1:48.40 — Shaine Casas, United States (2022)

1. Aiden Norman (FLOR), 1:51.02
2. Jonny Marshall (FLOR), 1:51.98
3. Jack Aikins (UVA), 1:52.49
4. Caleb Maldari (FLOR), 1:55.43
5. Sam O’Brien (UVA), 1:56.60
6. Teddy Cross (UVA), 1:59.15
7. Sean Sullivan (FLOR), 2:00.26

Fifth year Adam Chaney doesn’t appear to be racing today for Florida, but even without their backstroke ace for the past few seasons, the Gators have had no trouble in the backstroke events. Norman, Marshall, and Jack Aikins separated themselves from the rest of the heat early in the race.

The Florida underclassmen got the better of Aikins, as Norman earned his first collegiate win in 1:51.02. Marshall, who really broke out in both yards and meters over the last year, added a second-place after winning the 100 backstroke, touching in 1:51.98. Aikins took third in 1:52.49.

Women’s 200m Breaststroke

• American Record: 2:14.57 — Rebecca Soni, United States (2009)
• U.S. Open Record: 2:17.03 — Lilly King, Cali Condors (2019)

1. Aimee Canny (UVA), 2:22.38
2. Emma Weber (UVA), 2:24.47
3. Leah Hayes (UVA), 2:25.48
4. Grace Rainey (FLOR), 2:26.98
5. Molly Mayne (FLOR), 2:27.09
6. Anna Keating (UVA), 2:27.63
7. Sofia Plaza (FLOR), 2:28.35
8. Anna Moore (FLOR), 2:31.30

Aimee Canny added another event win, this time taking the 200 breaststroke to go along with her 200 freestyle win earlier in the meet.  The Virginia women have built up a comfortable lead over the course of the session so far, and they extended that lead even further by going 1-2-3 in the 200 breaststroke.

After winning the 100 breaststroke, Weber followed up with a 2:24.27 for second place, while Hayes added another third place finish in 2:25.48.

Women’s Running Score: Virginia  – 141, Florida – 85

Men’s 200m Breaststroke

• American Record: 2:01.60 — Nic Fink, United States (2022)
• U.S. Open Record: 2:02.33 — Cody Miller, United States (2015)

1. Noah Nichols (UVA), 2:07.78
2. Raphael Rached Windmuller (FLOR), 2:08.58
3. Aleksas Savickas (FLOR), 2:08.73
4. Peter Brentzmann (FLOR), 2:09.58
5. Matthew Heilman (UVA), 2:13.69
6. Oskar Lindholm (FLOR), 2:14.15
7. Matt Styczen (UVA), 2:16.04
8. Jay Gerloff (UVA), 2:18.89

Nichols, a fifth-year, finished second in the 100 breaststroke, but there was no denying him in the 200 breast. He earned the win in 2:07.78 as the only swimmers sub-2:08. Raphael Rached Windmuller led a 2-3-4 finish for the Gators as they refused to let the Cavaliers make up too much of an already 80 point gap between the two teams.

Windmuller swam 2:08.58 for second place, touching ahead of Aleksas Savickas (2:08.73).

Men’s Running Score: Florida – 173, Virginia – 53

Women’s 400m Freestyle

• American Record: 3:52.88 — Katie Ledecky, United States (2022)
• U.S. Open Record: 3:54.04 — Katie Ledecky, United States (2022)

1. Emma Weyant (FLOR), 4:00.98
2. Cavan Gormsen (UVA), 4:04.20
3. Michaela Mattes (FLOR), 4:08.58
4. Sophia Knapp (UVA), 4:09.55
5. Bailey Hartman (UVA), 4:10.85
6. Gracie Weyant (FLOR), 4:11.99
7. Camille Deboer (FLOR), 4:15.98
8. Elise Clift (UVA), 4:23.72

Weyant translated her 500-yard freestyle skills to the 400-meter freestyle well, cruising to the win in 4:00.98. It’s an almost six second personal best for the two-time Olympian as her former lifetime best was a 4:06.71 from the 2021 SC World Championships.

Gormsen also has SCM experience and she was just under three seconds off her lifetime best of 4:01.46 after winning the 800-meter freestyle earlier in the day.

Men’s 400m Freestyle

• American Record: 3:34.38 — Kieran Smith, United States (2022)
• U.S. Open Record: 3:35.99 — Kieran Smith, United States (2022)

1. Jake Mitchell (FLOR), 3:45.05
2. Eric Brown (FLOR), 3:47.05
3. Gio Linscheer (FLOR), 3:48.08
4. David King (UVA), 3:48.11
5. Andrew Taylor (FLOR), 3:48.34
6. Dillon Wright (UVA), 3:55.97
7. Peter Thompson (UVA), 4:00.35
8. Harry Belcher (UVA), 4:05.16

Jake Mitchell made it a sweep for the Gators in the 400 freestyle, as he matched Weyant with a victory of his own. Mitchell earned the 400m freestyle victory in 3:45.05, exactly two seconds ahead of his teammate Eric Brown. The Gators flexed their distance prowess in the men’s 800 freestyle and did so similarly here in the mid-distance, putting up a 1-2-3 sweep with Mitchell, Brown, and Linscheer.

Freshman David King put up the best finish for the Cavaliers, swimming 3:48.11.

Men’s Running Score: Florida – 189, Virginia – 56

Women’s 100m Butterfly

• American Record: 54.59 — Kelsi Dahlia, Cali Condors (2021)
• U.S. Open Record: 55.10 — Jeanette Ottesen, Denmark (2015)

1. Claire Curzan (UVA), 55.68
2. Olivia Peoples (FLOR), 57.81
3. Carly Novelline (UVA), 59.17
4. Tess Howley (UVA), 59.20
5. Julia Heimstead (FLOR), 59.29
6. Addison Reese (FLOR), 59.45
7. Maggie Schalow (UVA), 59.56

Curzan earned another victory in her official debut for the Cavaliers, swimming away to win the 100 butterfly in 55.68. She was just off her lifetime best of 55.39, splitting 25.86 on the first 50 meters and 29.82 on the way back.

Olivia Peoples took second, touching in 57.81 to finish over two seconds behind Curzan. Peoples is the reigning SEC champion in the yards version of this event, and broke up what could have been another 1-2-3 finish for Virginia as Carly Novelline and today’s 200 fly champ Tess Howley were third and fourth.

Women’s Running Score: Virginia – 162, Florida – 102

Men’s 100m Butterfly

• American Record: 47.78 — Caeleb Dressel, Cali Condors (2020)
• U.S. Open Record: 48.63 — Tom Shields, United States (2015)

1. Josh Liendo (FLOR), 49.37
2. Spencer Nicholas (UVA), 51.02
3. Scotty Buff (FLOR), 51.08
4. Hayden Bellotti (UVA), 52.66
5. Devin Dilger (FLOR), 52.85
6. Matt Cairns (FLOR), 53.46
7. Simon Lins (UVA), 54.18
8. Tim Connery (UVA), 54.35

Make that another win for Liendo as he opens up his junior year campaign. Like his win in the 50 freestyle, Liendo left no doubt about who was going to win this race. In lane three, he opened with a 23.20 on the first 50 meters, then followed up with a 26.17 to touch in 49.37. The swim is a lifetime best for Liendo, who owned a previous PB of 50.00 from 2021. It brings him much closer to Ilya Kharun‘s Canadian record of 49.03, swum in 2022.

Freshman Spencer Nicholas finished second, out-touching Scotty Buff by .06 seconds.

Men’s Running Score: Florida – 202, Virginia – 62

Women’s 100m IM (Time Trial)

• American Record: 56.99 — Kate Douglass, United States (2024)
• U.S. Open Record: 57.81 — Beata Nelson, United States (2022)

1. Gretchen Walsh (UVA) — 55.98 World Record
2. Zoe Skirboll (UVA) — 59.92

Forget the American record that Kate Douglass set mere hours ago in Shanghai at the Swimming World Cup, Gretchen Walsh just shattered the 100m world record during this time trial, capping her exceptional performance at this meet that also included three American records.

Walsh split 25.07/30.91 en route to her world record, taking down Katinka Hosszu‘s mark of 56.51–which had stood since 2017–by .53 seconds and bringing the record below 56 seconds for the first time.

Men’s 100m IM (Time Trial)

• American Record: 49.28 — Caeleb Dressel, Cali Condors (2020)
• U.S. Open Record: 51.04 — Shaine Casas, United States (2022)

1. Cam Abaqueta (FLOR), 54.71
2. Eric Brown (FLOR), 55.00
3. Fred Lindholm (FLOR), 57.34

A trio of Gators swam the 100 IM time trial exhibition–the women’s race didn’t count either towards the overall meet score. It was Cam Abaqueta who finished first, breaking 55 seconds with a 54.71.

Women’s 200m IM

• American Record: 2:02.12 — Kate Douglass, United States (2022)
• U.S. Open Record: 2:03.66 — Katinka Hosszu, Team Europe (2015)

1. Bella Sims (FLOR), 2:06.75
2. Leah Hayes (UVA), 2:06.85
3. Zoe Dixon (FLOR), 2:09.67
4. Emma Redman (UVA), 2:12.12
5. Mabel Zavaros (FLOR), 2:12.14
6. Sofia Plaza (FLOR), 2:14.70
7. Katie Christopherson (UVA), 2:17.06

After getting run down and out-touched in the women’s 200 butterfly, Sims would not be denied in the 200 IM. Hayes made up huge ground on the breaststroke leg, pulling even with the sophomore Sims and seeming to take the lead after the first 25 meters of freestyle. But Sims battled back down the home stretch and was able to get her hand on the wall first in 2:06.75, a tenth ahead of Hayes.

There was a tight race further down the standings for fourth place; behind Dixon (2:09.67), Emma Redman and Mabel Zavaros battled it out right to the wall. Their race was closer than the touch between Sims and Hayes as Redman got the better of Zavaros by .02 seconds.

Women’s Running Score: Virginia – 162, Florida – 102

Men’s 200m IM

• American Record: 1:49.63 — Ryan Lochte, United States (2012)
• U.S. Open Record: 1:50.76 — Daiya Seto, Energy Standard (2019)

1. Mason Laur (FLOR)/Joaquin Gonzalez Pinero (FLOR), 1:57.63
2. —
3. Noah Nichols (UVA), 1:58.03
4. Matt Styczen (UVA), 2:00.27
5. Josh Parent (FLOR), 2:00.41
6. Colin Bitz (UVA), 2:01.29
7. Sean Sullivan (FLOR), 2:02.43
8. Matthew Heilman (UVA), 2:03.39

Teammates Mason Laur and Joaquin Gonzalez Pinero tied for the win to close out the individual events for the day. Pinero had the lead after the breaststroke leg, but Laur responded by out-splitting him on the freestyle leg with a 27.64 hit the wall at the exact same time as him.

Nichols rounded out the top three, finishing about four-tenths behind the winning Gator pair with a 1:58.03, the third and final man sub-2:00 in the event.

Men’s Running Score: Florida – 216, Virginia – 67

Women’s 400m Freestyle Relay

• American Record: 3:26.29 — United States (T. Huske, K. Douglass, C. Curzan, E. Brown) (2022)
• U.S. Open Record: 3:26.48 — Energy Standard (P. Oleksiak, S. Sjöstrom, K. Sanchez, F. Heemskerk) (2019)

1. Virginia ‘A’ (Curzan, Canny, Moesch, Parker), 3:33.38
2. Florida ‘A’ (Heimstead, Cronk, Kruger, Sims), 3:36.51
3. Virginia ‘B’, 3:39.74
4. Virginia ‘C’, 3:43.77
5. Florida ‘B’, 3:43.94
6. Florida ‘D’, 3:46.12
7. Florida ‘C’, 3:48.72

The Virginia women closed out the competition in style, dominating the women’s 4×100 freestyle relay. Curzan led off for the Cavaliers, torching her SCM 100 free lifetime best with a 52.53. Before today, her lifetime best was officially a 54.80 from a 2021 Baylor vs. Cardinal Gibbons dual meet.

She handed things off to Canny, who split 53.54. Moesh and Parker held down the back half of the relay, splitting 52.95 and 54.36 to give the Cavaliers a final time of 3:33.38. They beat the Gators ‘A’ relay of Julia Heimstead (55.15), Cronk (53.84), Lainy Kruger (54.40), and Sims (53.12) combined for a final time of 3:36.51.

The Virginia ‘B’ relay of Kate Morris (54.73), Reilly Tiltmann (54.97), Carly Novelline (54.98), and Bailey Hartman (55.06) was also sub-3:40, swimming 3:39.74.

Men’s 400m Freestyle Relay

• American Record: 3:03.03 — United States (C. Dressel, B. Pieroni, M. Chadwick, R. Held) (2018)
• U.S. Open Record: 3:05.11 — London Roar (C. McEvoy, K. Chalmers, Y. Kisill, D. Scott) (2019)

1. Florida ‘A’ (Liendo, Smith, Painter, Fullum-Huot), 3:08.53
2. Florida ‘B’ (Dilger, Norman, Mitchell, Lindholm), 3:11.54
3. Virginia ‘A’, 3:12.36
4. Virginia ‘B’, 3:16.11
5. Virginia ‘C’, 3:19.40
6. Florida ‘D’, 3:22.92

DQ: Florida ‘C’

As the Virginia women were dominant in the closing relay, so to were the Florida men in the men’s 4×100 freestyle relay to end an exciting day of racing. The Gators led off with Liendo, who continued to impress in his season-opening meet with a 46.35. Smith (46.24), Painter (47.47), and Fullum-Huot (48.47) followed up on the Gators ‘A’ relay and Florida ran away with the win in 3:08.53.

The No. 3 ranked Florida men capped a smothering performance by not only winning the final relay, but by going 1-2. Their ‘B’ relay team of Dilger (48.33), Norman (48.25), Mitchell (47.54), and Lindholm (47.42) swam a 3:11.54 to finish ahead of the Virginia ‘A’ relay (3:12.36).

Final Scores

Women

1. Virginia, 181
2. Florida, 119

Men

1. Florida, 231
2. Virginia, 69

Read the full story on SwimSwam: Florida Gators vs. Virginia Cavaliers SCM Dual Meet Live Recap