Bennvt

Literally have a Hokie as the top seed tonight in the 200 breast semi-final tonight. Incredible chance to qualify for the team tomorrow night if he can keep performing well

Technically, you can swim 2 individual events and then swim all 5 relays, but that would rarely make sense for a top athlete from a points perspective

I’m assuming this is the first game you watched!

Glad to hear they have improved the outreach effort in some concrete ways. That is definitely an improvement on Sergio’s first couple years. Just sharing a common feeling amongst many S&D alumni. This is the time to capitalize on the rapid success and build the alumni support. Most others I know are excited to follow results during championship season, but don’t really feel much of a connection to the program. With all that being said, these outreach problems are well documented and endemic in the AD, and at the university level, too. Particularly with NIL sucking money from donors (that typically would go to the AD to run operations), it will become increasingly important for non-rev sports to fundraise well themselves to stay at a competitive level.

Sergio has great connections in international swimming, and recruits like it. Alongside the positive progression of the program, he should do significantly more to promote the program within the VT community. The staff has done minimal work to get the alumni involved, let alone the rest of Hokie Nation. Success can lead to way more donations, and program is missing out on $$$ right now. Programs like swimming need take a page out of the wrestling program to build better followings from VT faithful! Could have a national title or 2 from the men’s program this march. Exciting times!

Men’s meet should be a tight one. UVA men will be stronger in the championship setting than a dual meet due to strong sprinting. Women’s meet will not be close, there may only be about 3 women’s teams nationally that could give uva women a run for their money. Maybe 3… Men’s meet will probably come down to which side is more beat down from winter training. UVA women could hit the weight room between swims and still be fine

John has definitely had a huge influence of the whole program for years now. And I’d agree far too much power. But I do think you’re overstating how much day he’s had on big money decisions. Any and every decision with large dollar amounts falls to Whit, and that’s that.