Collegiate Times

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After a promising finish to the 2008 season, the Virginia Tech swimming team looks to make a splash in the Atlantic Coast Conference this season.

The women's swimming and diving team finished third in the ACC last season. The team is led by sophomore Erika Hajnal, who competes in the freestyle and individual medley events.

Hajnal finished 13th in the 1,650-meter free at the NCAA championships last season. She also set the school record for the 400 individual medley at the NCAAs with a time of four minutes, 11.74 seconds.

Despite only having one year under her belt, Hajnal spent the summer back home in Hungary and looks to be even better in her second collegiate season.

"Erika looks like she has had a great summer, and she is ready to pick up where she left off," head coach Ned Skinner said.

The headliner on the men's side is senior diver Michael McDonald. The decorated four-year performer is set to wrap up an impressive career.

"We feel he is capable of being an ACC champion; what a magnificent way to finish your career that would be," Skinner said.

At the NCAAs last season, McDonald finished 14th in the one-meter dive. He has scored in the NCAAs four times in his career.

Despite the breakout season on the national stage in 2008-09, his goals are at an all-time high.

McDonald wants to finish in the top eight at the national finals and become an All-American. Even with all of his success, that particular goal has eluded him thus far.

The coaching staff is also excited about junior Stephen Hawkins, a specialist in the freestyle and breaststroke events.

"He is coming off a great sophomore campaign, and we feel he could qualify for NCAAs and win an ACC title," Skinner said.

The women's diving squad looks as strong as ever in 2009, and it is led by Sarah Milton, Cara Murnan and Natalie West.

"(Those three) should give us big points on the boards," Skinner said. "We really feel great about our women's divers."

This year, both the men's and the women's squads welcome nationally-renowned recruiting classes. One of the most notable newcomers on the men's side is diver Logan Shinholser from Burtonsville, Md., a hotbed for swimming recruiting.

"We are eager to see what Logan is capable of doing," Skinner said.

The women's recruiting class this off-season was ranked 14th in the nation according to CollegeSwimming.com thanks to the commitments from Keri Sink, Lindzi Smith and Laura Simon, among others.

"Keri, Lindzi and Laura have all looked really strong in practice. They can be contenders right away," Skinner said.

Next spring, the "H2Okies" will be getting a much-needed shot in the arm to their facilities.

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