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CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – Following a productive training regiment over winter break, the Virginia Tech swimming and diving teams returned home to the state-of-the-art Christiansburg Aquatic Center to host William & Mary on Seniors and Parents Day. Tech came away extremely successful, earning 29 titles, 15 event sweeps, and setting 20 new pool records. The 162-117 defeat of the men lifts Tech to 3-0 while the Tribe falls to 5-2, and the Lady Hokies’ 160-121 victory lifts them to 3-1, while William & Mary’s women fall to 6-4.

Tech’s 10 seniors were honored during the second intermission for their contributions to the program over the past four years, and the senior class combined to bring home 10 titles, including at least one for each of the five senior women. The 2011 senior class is comprised of Morgan Allen, Steffi Drechsel, Kaleigh Gomes, Sarah Milton and Lauren Ritter for the women, and Ryne Francis, Stephen Hawkins, Daniel Martin, Trey Stewart and Rich Ulatowski for the men. Today’s meet marked the final home meet of the mens’ careers, while the women will say goodbye to the CAC next Saturday in a dual meet with Richmond.

“What a great day for our seniors and our program,” said head coach Ned Skinner. “We are so pleased with what they did to end their careers as part of this magnificent facility and to enjoy what has become a great environment at our home meets.

“Our seniors represent so much pride and success in the classroom and in the pool, and I am very proud of what these student-athletes have become over their time at Virginia Tech.”

The Virginia Tech men had an extremely strong outing, winning all but one event, earning 10 sweeps and setting 10 new pool records. Matt Baumler and Karl Botha led the charge, taking home three first-place finishes. Botha led sweeps of both butterfly events and teamed up with Baumler, Adam Skipper and Gregory Mahon for a sweep of the 200 freestyle relay. Baumler also won the 200 freestyle and the 200 medley relay, along with Skipper, Charlie Higgins and Nevin Cook. Cook then went on to lead a sweep of the 100 breaststroke, while Higgins finished first in the 100 backstroke. Richard Ulatowski represented the senior class, taking home titles and setting pool records in the 50 and 100 freestyle events. In addition to his relay title, Mahon also won the 200 backstroke, and Alex Lutterbein took home gold medals in the 500 freestyle and the 400 IM. Blake Trabuchi-Downey earned the final title for the men, leading a sweep of the 1000 free.

Heather Savage was the most decorated female swimmer of the day, as the sophomore transfer earned titles in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle event. The four senior swimmers, Drechsel, Ritter, Gomes and Allen, teamed up to lead a record-setting sweep of the 200 medley relay. Drechsel also won the 200 backstroke, while Ritter finished first in the 500 free. Erika Hajnal, Keri Sink and Kameron Ansley each took home a pair of titles to round out the 14 gold medals for the women. Hajnal won the 1000 free and the 400 IM, Sink took first in both breaststroke events, while Ansley set pool records in the 100 and 200 fly.

Sarah Milton and Logan Shinholser came out on top in a great showing by the Hokie divers, each leading sweeps of the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard.

“Coming off of winter training, at this point I’m really pleased with where the whole diving team is right now,” said head diving coach Ron Piemonte. “Everyone looks strong and things are starting to come together for this last stretch of dual meets and heading into the championships.

“I am pleased with how they’ve been training and how they competed today, especially the seniors, Sarah Milton and Daniel Martin. I’m really looking forward to what the next couple weeks are going to bring, because of what I am seeing right now.”

The women return to action next Saturday, Jan. 22, when they host the Spiders of the University of Richmond. Both teams will then be back in the pool on Jan. 28 with a tough road trip to Louisville to face the Cardinals along with Indiana, followed by a tri-meet with Cincinnati and Kentucky the following morning.

For updates on Virginia Tech swimming & diving, follow the Hokies on Twitter (@VT_SwimDive).