Usually this casual competition is a relaxed reunion of past graduates who get to test their skills against the current varsity team. Most of the time, the varsity swimmers sweep a majority of the events en route to proving their dominance.
Saturday's encounter, however, proved to be a little more intense than previous meets.
The 200-meter relay had the crowd on its feet, with the alumni rekindling that competitive edge. They swam stroke-for-stroke with the varsity, only to be just out-touched in the last length of the race. Although no times were put up, the races lacked little in the way of entertainment.
But this meet, unlike the heated rivalries of the ACC, always ends in smiles. It gives the alumni a chance to return to their alma mater and relive some good times with their old teammates, as well as meet some of the new swimmers and divers who will be upholding their winning tradition. The teams gather on the evening before the meet and socialize over dinner.
The next day, following the competition, the members of both teams kick off the pre-game tailgate before filing into Lane Stadium to cheer on the Hokie football team.
Now that the H2Okies have had a taste of some "easier" competition, they can look forward to the kickoff of their conference season on Oct. 25, when they face ACC rival North Carolina State at War Memorial Pool. Sara Smith, Tech standout and current record holder in the 50, 100 and 200-meter freestyle, believes the team will be well prepared.
"The team swims nine times a week along with lifting and dry land exercises," Smith said. "We have morning practice three times a week beginning at 5:30 a.m. Sunday is our one day off."
Smith was also excited about some big upcoming rivalries, especially Clemson, a team that went 8-7 overall last season.
"There are always specific rivalries that I have with different swimmers throughout the ACC in different events," Smith said. "One example is a swimmer from Clemson who is my year and who swims the exact same events. Every meet we go head-to-head in the 50-meter freestyle."
The individual she is referring to is Rachel Regone, who easily defeated Davidson swimmers in the 200-meter freestyle last Saturday.
Not only are the Tigers in the crosshair of the swim team, but also the Tech diving team, including sophomore Mikey MacDonald, has a vendetta against the ACC foe.
"We have never beaten Clemson in a dual meet, so we have to knock them off this year," MacDonald said. "Of course, Virginia and N.C. State are also must wins."
Last year, the Wolfpack edged the Hokies in both swimming and diving, as Tech lost in the final relay. Although the competition is fierce, MacDonald assures "we're all friends here."
Last year, the Annandale native became the first Tech diver to make the NCAA championship, scoring in two events.
MacDonald is not the only one starting the year confidently. Head diving coach Ron Piemonte also sees a lot of potential in this year's squad.
"Michael looks great," he said. "He's trained hard all summer. He's gotten much stronger. The crazy thing is, Michael is only 135 pounds, but he jumps as high as 180-pound guys."
Another prospect is sophomore Sarah Milton. She grew up as a Canadian citizen and was therefore ineligible to compete at any junior nationals.
But what she lacks in experience she makes up for in skill. Last season, she beat half of the ACC finalists at a dual meet on her way to setting a school record. Unfortunately for Milton, she fell just short at the ACC championships.
With so many spectacular wins and narrow defeats last year, the swimming and diving teams have a lot of confidence going into the 2008-09 season, especially after last year where the men and women posted records of 12-3 and 14-2, respectively.
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