Brandon Fiala Leads Virginia Tech Men Past LSU and Kentucky
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By Chandler Brandes, ACC Beat Writer
Virginia Tech competed in a tri-meet against Louisiana State and Kentucky on January 8 and 9. The Virginia Tech men defeated both LSU and Kentucky, beating the Tigers 237-149 and the Wildcats 209-180. The Hokie women won against Kentucky 203.5-185.5, but fell to LSU 247-142.
Men’s Meet
Brandon Fiala led Virginia Tech with three individual wins in the 100 breast (55.31), 200 breast (2:00.64), and the 200 IM (1:49.19). Benjamin Schiesl won the 1m diving event with a score of 324.00m followed by teammate Logan Stevens (303.50). Stevens also finished third in the 3m (328.00). Other individual event winners for the Hokies included Robert Owen in the 400 IM (3:56.41), Norbert Szabo in the 100 fly (48.71), Lucas Bureau in the 200 free (1:40.08), Michal Szuba in the 500 free (4:30.02), and Ian Ho in the 50 free (20.41). The Hokie relay team of Bureau, Fiala, Ho, and Szabo won the 400 free relay in 3:01.25, and Bureau, Ho, Fiala, and Adam Thomas combined to win the 200 free relay with a time of 1:21.10.
Women’s Meet
The Hokie women won two individual events in the meet. Jessica Hespleler won the 1650 for the Hokies in 16:46.73, narrowly beating the runner-up. Weronika Paluszek won the 200 breast (2:13.63) and placed second in the 100 breast (1:02.59).
“Our H2Okies came out fighting today. It was a lot of fun being together on the pool deck, seeing our team’s desire to compete for the cause. Both team’s had deficits to overcome going into the last session and watching them convert was gratifying,” Virginia Tech head coach Ned Skinner said in a Hokie press release.
The Hokies will host Towson and ACC rival Virginia on January 15 and 16.
Full meet results: Kentucky, LSU, Virginia Tech Tri Meet – Results