Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech swimming and diving program kicked off its season with the annual Hokie Belt Challenge during Alumni Weekend where Orange took the top spot.
The Hokie Belt Challenge is a friendly competition lasting the whole season. The athletes are divided equally between the maroon and orange teams. Through the challenge, the athletes learn the culture through a fun atmosphere and what it means to be a Hokie.
"We created the Hokie Belt Challenge to make sure the team environment and culture works," Tech director of swimming and diving Sergio Lopez Miro said. "It shows that the competition is not just in the pool. We succeed by being on time, supporting one another, and being an overall good teammate. It has been very helpful for the team these past few years by helping us focus internally and be better by empowering one another."
The alumni also took part in the Hokie Belt Challenge by competing in the alumni relays and dives.
"We have tried the past couple of years to get everyone together and this was the first year we had a lot of alumni come back," Lopez Miro said. "I think the Hokie Belt Challenge could be the base for encouraging alumni to come back because we enjoy seeing everyone and want them to be proud of being a Hokie."
On Friday, September 15, Orange pulled ahead 122-104 over Maroon. Orange continued its momentum on Saturday with a score of 123-104. Orange won with a final score of 245-208.
Up Next
The Hokies will travel to Washington, D.C. for their season opener against George Washington on September 23 at 11 a.m.
Gallery: (9-16-2023) S&D: 2023 Hokie Belt Challenge