While many people ate Christmas cookies and toasted the new year, the North Carolina swimming and diving teams focused their holiday excitement on training tirelessly during winter break.
The Tar Heels competed against the U.S. Naval Academy on Saturday afternoon in their first meet of the new year. The Tar Heel women won 184-105, winning first place in all 16 events. The men also prevailed, winning 169-126 and placing first in 12 of 16 events.
Coach Rich DeSelm said Navy has been a strong opponent in the past, but UNC has been stronger.
“On the one hand, we were a little rusty, but on the other hand, I felt many of our most experienced swimmers and divers — who are extremely steady trainers and hard workers — they all seemed to shine a little bit brighter,” DeSelm said. “Some of the less experienced who we desperately need to shine, may have not risen to the occasion like we would have liked.”
But DeSelm said senior Danielle Siverling was one of those who shone bright Saturday.
“Danielle stood out," he said. "She’s a leader and she’s an extremely good racer."
The Pennsylvania native placed first in the 200 and 500-yard freestyles. Siverling also competed in the 400-yard freestyle relay and recorded a season-best in the 500 free, finishing in 4:50.18.
Siverling wasn’t the only Tar Heel who stood out. Diver Jack Nyquist also recorded a season-best of 393.08 on the 1-meter board, coming within five points of his previous record.
Siverling said the race made UNC step up and be competitive because it was the first meet since the Nike Cup in November. She also said the Navy matchup was a confidence boost in preparation for the highly competitive meet against Virginia in nearly two weeks.
