H2Okies capture four wins at home on Friday evening

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. -- The Virginia Tech swimming and diving teams won four of the 14 events on Friday evening, as the H2Okies got off to a strong start against Virginia, Wisconsin, Miami and Harvard at the Christiansburg Aquatic Center.

Junior Morgan Latimer and sophomore Michal Szuba, who both took home victories last weekend as well, paced the men on the evening, as both swimmer touched the wall first in their event.

Latimer cruised to victory by almost two seconds in the 200 Butterfly, clocking a 1:47.43 to earn his third win in two weeks this spring. Freshman Jan Switkowski finished just behind Latimer, taking runner-up honors with a time of 1:49.15.

Szuba took the top spot in the 1650 Freestyle, touching the wall with a time of 15:33.41 to best a trio of Virginia swimmers that finished just behind him.

The men also performed well on the boards, as the H2Okies took five of the top seven spots in the 3-meter diving event. Senior Ryan Hawkins led the way, capturing runner-up honors with a score of 357.80. TJ Shinholser (341.75) and John Trope (338.50) were just behind in third and fourth, respectively.

The No. 15-ranked men are leading all three of their contests after Friday night’s action. Tech leads No. 18 Virginia, 76.5-54.5, and is up 73-58 on No. 24 Harvard. The H2Okies also own a commanding 85-46 lead over Wisconsin, who is receiving votes in the national poll.

On the women’s side, sophomore Weronika Paluszek captured her second win in as many weeks by mere inches, as her time of 2:14.76 in the 200 Breaststroke took top honors, just in front of Laura Simon of Virginia, who finished in 2:14.79.

Junior Kaylea Arnett was the H2Okies other winner on the evening, as she fought off a trio of divers from Miami to capture the 1-meter diving win, her first of 2014, with a score of 318.75.

After the first session, the women are up on Miami, 89-38, though they trail No. 9 Virginia, 85-46, and Wisconsin, 74-55.

Action will begin at 9 a.m., on Saturday morning, while the afternoon session will begin at 1 p.m. The H2Okies will recognize their 12 seniors in a short ceremony just before the afternoon session.