By Dalton Ray–

The 2015 calendar year is off to a high start for the University of Louisville swim and dive team. This weekend’s two-day dual meet saw the number five ranked men and number nine ranked women sweep Florida State’s number 22 ranked men and number 20 ranked women. After a dominating day one for the Cards the men led 110.5-56.5 and the women held a 109-58 lead over the Seminoles. Neither squad would let up in day two as the men pulled away 239.5-111.5 and the women held on 208-143.

Friday and Saturday’s meet was Louisville’s first conference match in the ACC. The Cardinals had five multiple event winners that helped lead the way to the easy victory. Senior Tanja Kylliainen won the 200 IM relay, 200 fly, 200-medley relay and 400 IM relay over the two days. Junior Kelsi Worrell took home four events in the 100 free, 200 free relay, 200 medley relay and 400 fly. Worrell also set a new pool record in the 100 free with 49.15 seconds.

Winning the first ACC match was a huge mark for both squads but the teams know it’s far from over. Tanja Kylliainen said,

“The team is definitely very happy with the win, we knew they were going to come in with some really good swimmers and we were ready for each other. Heading into conference we know it’s going to be greater competition than ever before and we’re going to have to work our butts off,” Kylliainen said.

For the men sophomores Grigory Tarasevich and Trevor Carroll won two events, Tarasevich in the 100 and 200 back and Carroll in the 200 and 500 free. Senior Thomas Dahlia would also take home the 100 and 200 breaststroke. Nolan Tesone was given praise from head coach Arthur Albiero in his 200 and 400 IM first place finishes and his contributions in the team relays. Senior Caryle Blondell won the 100 free while newcomer Marcelo Acosta won the 1000 free.

Coach Albiero was very pleased with the effort from both sides.

“We’re back to racing now so it takes a little for the mind to adjust but they did a great job, the energy level was a lot better today and a team with energy usually plays well.”

Coach Albiero also addressed the conference road ahead.

“You know it’s interesting because it’s uncharted territory…but at the end of the day it’s about the same thing: we’re going to swim in our own lanes, there will be water, there is going to be flags and lane lines. The dynamics might change a little with men and women going separately but that’ll help us prepare for the NCAA’s.”

While the swim races were mainly handled by Louisville, the diving events for men and women were won by the Seminoles. Katrina Young won the 1 and 3-meter dive events for FSU with Cardinals in second, third and fourth. Emily Stalmack and Alessandra Murphy rounded out the top three in the 3 meter with Maddy Ingmire and Andrea Acquista in second and third in the 1 meter. Tyler Roberge won the 3-meter dive and Dylan Grissell claimed the 1-meter. Sean Piner was the highest scoring Cardinal with two third-place finishes.

Louisville would win six of the eight relays with the men winning all four of their events. All in all it was a dominating performance from both the men and women teams and a great way for Louisville to start off the new-year.

After a month off the teams didn’t seemed phased by the layoff and look to continue winning. The next meet will be against the in-state rival Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington on the Saturday January 24th. With just over five weeks before the conference championships, February 19 for the women and February 26th for the men, the Cards will look to brush up on any areas of improvement before then.

Photos by Wade Morgen / The Louisville Cardinal