Aimee Canny, a South African-born Virginia senior, made a remarkable debut in the 400 IM at the Cavalier Invite on Day 3, posting a time of 4:03.36 and securing the sixth spot in the national rankings for the season. This achievement is even more impressive considering that it was her first attempt at the 400 IM in any format. Canny's strong performance in the 500 free (4:34.26) and the 200 IM (1:54.05) had already demonstrated her endurance and stroke versatility, but the 400 IM was a new challenge. During the morning's prelims time trials, Canny split 55.55/1:02.61/1:09.85/55.35, resulting in a time of 4:03.35, which moved her to the sixth position nationally this season. She also set new personal records in the 100 free (47.79) and the 100 breast (58.30).
The new NCAA format suggests that Canny might opt for a 400 IM/200 breast/200 IM lineup in March. She won the 200 free B-final at NCAAs last year, but her 400 IM time from today would have secured her a spot in the A-final. Both the 200 free and the 400 IM are now part of the Day 2 lineup under the new championship format. Despite this, the Cavaliers are expected to dominate and secure another NCAA title next month.
In the evening, Canny's 100 free time of 47.79 was enough to win the event against teammates Melissa Nwakalor (47.85) and Nina Jazy (47.90), with all three swimmers setting new personal records in a close finish. Virginia continued its winning streak in the backstroke, as Katie Grimes took the women's 200 back in 1:51.21, moving her up to the tenth position nationally this season. This was Grimes' best time in the event since starting college competition and the third-fastest time of her career. Her personal best is 1:50.56, achieved in late 2023.
In the 200 breaststroke, Emma Weber continued Virginia's winning streak, touching first in 2:07.96, just a tenth off her season best, after a strong final 50. Virginia concluded the individual events with Tess Howley winning the 200 butterfly in 1:52.53. Leah Hayes, who swam the 400 IM twice today, went 4:05.21 in the prelims time trial and 4:05.68 in the evening time trial (although it appears as a 500 free in the PDF results). Before today, Hayes ranked sixth in the nation this season with a 4:04.01, but slipped back one spot after Canny's swim.
The William & Mary Tribe women secured victories at both ends of the session. Lauren Tucker started the evening with a 16:41.62 win in the 1650, winning by over six seconds. This was a lifetime best by over 15 seconds for Tucker, whose previous best of 16:56.86 earned her a fifth-place finish at last year's CAA Championships. Tonight's time would have put her third last year, and it appears to be the second-fastest time in the conference so far this season. The meet concluded with William & Mary taking the women's 400 freestyle relay in 3:29.02.
On the men's side, William & Mary set the tone early, with freshman Tyler Barritt claiming the 1650 freestyle title in 15:40.67, coming within a second of his lifetime best. Tonight's time would have ranked him sixth at last year's CAA Championships, although it's only the eighth-fastest time in the conference this season. After that, Virginia swimmers took the next two events, with Jack Aikins winning the 200 back in 1:41.02, about two-tenths off his season best from the CSCAA Dual Meet Challenge. Maximus Williamson won the 100 free in 42.60, 0.72s away from his midseason time.
St. Bonaventure's Corey Su picked up a win in the 200 breaststroke, touching first in 2:11.44 to edge William & Mary's Jackson Mueller. Virginia closed the meet with another win in the 200 butterfly, where Dillon Wright posted a 1:47.22 to secure the title ahead of Towson's Jackson Cummins.
