The 2025 swimming season features a thrilling dual meet between two ACC swimming powerhouses: the University of North Carolina Tar Heels and the University of Virginia Cavaliers. Hosted on October 24 at the AFC Pool in Charlottesville, Virginia, this meet is a vivid display of deep-rooted rivalry, exceptional talent, and university pride. Historically, both programs have enjoyed considerable success in the ACC, with Virginia holding 37 combined championships and North Carolina close behind with 33. This meet revitalizes decades of competitive spirit that shaped ACC swimming.
From the outset, the event showcased top-tier performances. The morning session included diving (exclusively for UNC), the 1000 freestyle, and various exhibition races. Highlights emerged early, such as Virginia freshman Sara Curtis’s blazing 21.18 split in the 50 freestyle, catapulting her to 12th all-time in the event. On the men’s and women’s side, distance wins went to Virginia’s Aimee Canny (9:35.38 in the 1000 free) and UNC’s Josh Parent (9:03.19), reflecting strong individual efforts and setting the competitive tone.
Entering the afternoon session, UNC men led 44-7, while UNC women held a 36-15 advantage. Yet, the Cavaliers quickly demonstrated their strength in relays. The Virginia women’s 200 medley relay team swam a commanding 1:33.62, breaking the 1:34 barrier this season and besting UNC’s 1:37.81 by over four seconds. Anchored by Sara Curtis’s 20.93 freestyle flourish, along with standout splits from Bryn Greenwaldt, Zoe Skirboll, and Claire Curzan, Virginia’s women set a high bar early on.
The Virginia men’s 200 medley relay also outpaced their UNC counterparts, finishing in 1:24.46 — the fifth fastest national time of the season. Spencer Nicholas ignited the relay with a swift 21.19 lead-off, maintained through strong performances by Jay Gerloff, Thomas Heilman, and Jack Aikins. UNC’s squad fought valiantly but settled for second place with 1:26.16. Individual events reinforced Virginia’s dominance, highlighted by several pool records and national rankings. Aimee Canny stamped the women’s 200 free with a pool record of 1:41.85, surpassing Claire Curzan’s previous best and securing the second-fastest time nationally this year, just behind teammate Anna Moesch. Maximus Williamson, a UVA freshman on the men’s side, recorded a blistering 1:32.32 in the 200 free, setting another pool record and ranking second in the country.
Virginia’s sweeping of the women’s 100 fly event — with Carly Novelline capturing first place in 51.82 — showcased the Cavaliers’ depth and consistency. Similarly, the men’s 100 fly was dominated by UVA again, with Thomas Heilman setting a pool record at 44.59 and claiming the #2 national spot this season. Notably, Thomas Heilman’s performance was part of a clean 1-2-3 sweep for Virginia in this discipline, reaffirming their elite status.
The breaststroke events further spotlighted Virginia’s prowess among women, as Emma Weber broke the 58-second barrier with her 57.96 winning time—a personal milestone and a leap to third nationally this season. On the men’s side, UNC’s Xavier Ruiz prevented a Virginia sweep by narrowly winning the 100 breaststroke in 51.92, just shy of his lifetime best.
The meet remains tightly contested with Virginia leading 73 to 50 midway through the afternoon session. The competition promises exciting finishes as both teams push for supremacy in the remaining races. Swim enthusiasts can watch the live stream on ACC+ or track results via Meet Mobile under “UVA vs UNC”.
This duel between UNC and Virginia epitomizes ACC swimming’s rich tradition and the depth of talent in collegiate aquatics. With record-breaking performances and intense matchups, the 2025 Tar Heels vs. Cavaliers meet is a must-watch for fans and a preview of the fierce battles expected throughout the season. Whether you root for the Tar Heels or the Cavaliers, today’s contest underscores the passion, skill, and rivalry that define ACC swimming at its best.
