The Virginia women’s team returned to competition last week with a two-day intrasquad, splitting between short and long course competition to open the new Olympic year. But the meets notably lacked relays, and the women hopped up at the end of practice without knee-skins to race a 200 medley relay.
Last season, the Virginia women had the top time in the nation with a 1:33.91 with the team of Caroline Gmelich, Alexis Wenger, Kate Douglass and Morgan Hill. On this particular day, Gmelich was swapped out for Alex Walsh, Wenger remained in the breast slot, Douglass was moved to freestyle to replace outgoing senior Hill, and Lexi Cuomo stepped in for butterfly.
The Cavaliers posted an unofficial 1:36.7 with Walsh (24.1), Wenger (27.4), Cuomo (23.7), and Douglass (21.4), which would have been 20th in Division I last season. And yet they didn’t wear racing suits.
There was a lot of discussion over whether the top swimmers in the nation would be able to get back to their aerobic shape before the pandemic, and although the aerobic base for most of the swimmers is behind schedule, the speed is still prevalent, as evident by this swim here.
Last season, the Virginia women had the top seeded time in the 200 medley relay and were expected to challenge Stanford’s American record, but other schools such as their ACC rival NC State, Michigan, Tennessee and Cal were capable of putting four legs together to win the relay on the end of night three.
Virginia swim and dive posted the unofficial time trial below.
A little Saturday morning
200 Medley Relay (Walsh BK24.1-Wenger BR27.4-Cuomo FL23.7-Douglass FR21.4=1:36.7
) #GoHoos #WeWill
pic.twitter.com/CnpYvs2ko6
— Virginia Swimming and Dive (@UVASwimDive) October 3, 2020
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