Wyher confident in ACC competition

Talk is cheap. But if it’s coming from North Carolina swimmer Tommy Wyher, it’s worth its weight in gold — gold medals, that is.

The four-time conference champion has no doubt he’ll find his way back to the winner’s podium during this weekend’s ACC Swimming and Diving Championship in Chapel Hill.

“I sound arrogant when I usually say what I think. But I think I’ll win,” Wyher said. “I don’t really second guess myself when I’m about to go up to a race.”

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But it isn’t quite arrogance when the 6-foot-4 junior has the skill to back it up.

As a freshman, Wyher became the first Tar Heel since 1998 to become an ACC champion in the 100-yard backstroke. And the following year he did it again. With a time of 46.41 seconds, Wyher won and set the conference record in the event.

On the same day, he won the 100-yard butterfly. Clocking in at 46.21 seconds, Wyher became an ACC champion for the third time, also breaking his second conference record.

Just Wednesday, Wyher swam as part of the 200-yard medley relay team that captured a new pool and UNC record on day one of ACC Championship competition.

“Tommy brings the sprinter mentality, the fighter mentality that we need more of,” UNC coach Rich DeSelm said. “He’s a bit like a prize fighter. He does his training, he goes about it pretty quietly, and when he gets in the ring he can put a knock-out punch in pretty well.”

DeSelm was quick to point out Wyher’s value to the team. And when looking around the Koury Natatorium, the impact he’s made is hard to miss.

Wyher’s name decorates the record board, as he owns more school records than any current men’s swimmer. He reigns in the 100-yard butterfly, and the 100- and 200-yard backstroke. Along with a record in the 400-yard medley relay, Wyher now has a 200-yard medley relay record to add to the collection.

“There are some very, very good swimmers in the conference, and he’s smart enough to know that there are people who will challenge him,” DeSelm said. “But I’d rather have a confident athlete than one who is a little shaky.”

The No. 14 Tar Heels will rely heavily on Wyher if they hope to upset No. 8 Virginia this weekend. North Carolina struggled against UVa. when the two met in January. The Cavaliers handed the UNC men their first and only loss this season.

UNC won only five events in that meet. Three of them were Wyher’s.

“Tommy knows he’s going to win every time he gets up,” senior teammate Jeff James said. “He’s got the talent and he’s done the work to back it up. So it’s really not a question.”

The North Carolina men are a one-loss team for the first time since the 1995-96 season, but in order to have a shot at the ACC crown, Wyher will have to be at the top of his game.

That’s not news to him. The Florida native has his sights set on more than just victories.

“I’m pretty sure I can break another record,” he said. “I don’t think anyone else will be closer to that.”

During the next few days in front of a home crowd, Wyher will look to add to his already long list of ACC accolades and help bring a men’s conference championship to Chapel Hill for the first time in more than a decade.

And for Wyher, second place is just not an option.

“The guy’s probably expecting to go out there and win all three of his races and be one of the fastest guys on all four of our relays,” James said. “I think he understands that’s what people expect. And that’s what he’s going to do.”

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.