Stowe leads team at ACCS

Tech’s women’s swimming and diving teams joined by the men’s diving team jetted off to Maryland last week to compete in the women’s ACC championships and men’s ACC diving competition Feb 15-18.

The women put up a ninth place finish. Florida State captured its first ACC championship title with 596.5 points, edging out second-place finisher Virginia who had 562 points. North Carolina came in third with 517 points. Virginia Tech (409), Maryland (383), Clemson (374), Miami (237), NC State (206.5), Tech (189), Duke (160) and Boston College (79) rounded out the field.

Sophomore diver Evan Stowers led the men’s diving competition with an incredible performance, pushing him to win the ACC title in the three-meter competition and to earn All-ACC honors with a second place finish in the one-meter event.

“[Winning the ACC title] meant a lot more than could be put in an article, but ultimately it was mostly a confidence booster for me going into the NCAA zone meet,” Stowers said.

“My goal going into the [ACC] meet was to just garner an All-ACC title, which is placing in the top three….Winning the ACC title exceeded my expectations,” he said.

Only the second diver in the Tech’s history to capture an ACC title on the three meter, Stowers, along with teammates, gained tremendous momentum going into the men’s ACC swimming championships this weekend in Maryland. Junior Tony Burkhardt placed sixth in the one meter and 12th on the three-meter board. Sophomore Peter Doblar rounded out the points with a 13th place finish on the one meter to put Tech third in the field going into the swimming competition.

“[Winning] was definitely a moral booster for the team. We are in third after diving,” Stowers said. “It put more fuel to the fire.”

Junior Vesna Stojanovska, senior Ashley Kracke and sophomore Elizabeth Stowe all earned NCAA ‘B’ cut standards and captured top eight finishes at finals during the weekend to lead the Lady Jackets.

With a season-best time of 2:01.96 in the 200-yard butterfly, Stojanovska churned her way to a fifth-place finish. Dropping to a seventh place finish in finals in the 200-yard freestyle, Stojanovska clocked a NCAA ‘B’ standard of 1:49.53. Stojanovska also earned an NCAA ‘B’ standard in the 500-yard freestyle, finishing 12th with 4:53.67.

Breaking out for a final farewell, Kracke ended the season with a stellar performance and season-best times. Clocking a 2:01.77 in the 200-yard backstroke, Kracke pushed for a seventh place finish and earned an NCAA ‘B’ time standard. Kracke also had a seventh-place finish in the 100-yard backstroke event.

Stowe rounded out the leaders with an eighth place finish in the 1650-yard freestyle, finishing with a 16:50.33 to earn an NCAA ‘B’ time standard. All NCAA ‘B’ standard finishes will be considered for invite to the NCAA national swimming championships in March.

Sophomore diver Stephanie England finished sixth in the three-meter board while senior Laurissa Prystaj placed 13th.

The Jackets graduated eight seniors last year, and their presence was missed in the water and on the deck at ACCs this year.

“[By graduating eight seniors,] we lost a lot of leadership. They were the first class to graduate. At ACCs they didn’t score much last year, but we lost their depth,” Stowe said.

The women showed a mixed performance at ACCs, with season-best times paired with other races that were off their best mark.

“We didn’t do as well as we wanted, but we are only in our fifth year. We learned a lot for next year. We learned what we need to do as a team and [to] support each other. We are already excited about next year,” junior Alison Walker said.

Stowe has made a remarkable impression on the team both in and out of the water. Her tenacity over the past two years has earned her three school records and a trip to the NCAA national championship as a freshman.

“Stowe is a really hard worker and has a positive impact on the team because she never complains. We can look up to that,” Walker said.

Stowe had an excellent second year with the Jackets, but she felt slightly disappointed in her ACC performance.

“I am pleased with the season in review. I swam good in-season times and trained hard. That was more frustrating though for ACCs. Everyone was swimming a lot of in-season times while being shaved and tapered. I think that’s how a lot of people felt,” Stowe said.

Already back at practice and focused on the upcoming season, Stowe reveals her dedication to the team. “Now that ACCs are over, we will start recruiting again. We already have some [girls] lined up to come…. I am excited about the freshmen coming in,” Stowe said.

Stowe, a high-level performer on the high school level, broke out in the college setting by dropping a tremendous amount of time and emerging as a team leader even as a freshman.

“[Swimming varsity] was very similar to swimming high school because [of] similar coaches. But coming into college I did more morning practices and weight training. I was able to practice with more distance swimmers. [Tech had] people specifically to train with me. That pushes you harder, having that person [swimming] next to you,” Stowe said.

Stowe is a leader by her work ethic and knows the importance of dedication. “I feel that training hard sets the tone for everyone else too,” Stowe said.

Her passion for the water stands above all else and keeps her going through the rough times this sport dishes.

“I enjoy [swimming]. It’s easier to work hard when you enjoy it,” Stowe said. “There are times when you don’t feel like practicing, but the love gets you through.”

The women finished a solid season and look to next year for an opportunity to continue to improve. The men’s ACCs are this weekend.