Florida State University Athletics
Pavlidi Sets FSU Record on Final Night of ACC Championships
2/18/2023 11:04:17 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Florida State men’s swimmer Arijus Pavlidi set the school record in the 200 back on the final day of the 2023 ACC Swimming and Diving Championships and the Greensboro Aquatic Center on Saturday.
“It was a great last day for us,” FSU head coach Neal Studd said. “It was a big fight and fantastic effort all the way until the end. I’m really happy for AJ and his new school record. What a swim. We also had some good relays to finish strong.”
Pavlidi qualified for the consolation heat of the race in 11th place with a time of 1:42.32 in prelims, which was just off his career-best (1:42.23). At night, Pavlidi controlled the heat, touching with a time of 1:40.37 for the heat win to place ninth overall.
Pavlidi took down the oldest swimming record on the books which was set by Andy Hodgson back in 2009 at 1:41.11. His swim was also under the time that was invited to the NCAA Championships in 2022.
Prior to Pavlidi’s record, Yordan Yanchev swam in the early heats of the 1650 free. His time of 15:08.13 was fast enough for eighth place. His swim was a personal best by 19 seconds and now ranks eighth in school history.
Additionally, David Quirie finished 13th with a season-best of 15:16.07 and Zach Smith followed in 15th at 15:18.54, which was also his fastest of the season.
Peter Varjasi tied his best time of 42.32 in the 100 free, finishing in 10th place.
In the 200 breast, Tommaso Baravelli led the way for the Noles, touching with a time of 1:55.87 for 14th place ahead of Jason Martindale in 20th at 1:56.87, which was his career best. His swim still ranks eighth in FSU history.
All three divers scored points towards the team total in the men’s platform, led by Tazman Abramowicz in 11th place at 306.15. Jesco Helling followed in 14th at 295.15 and Darwin Nolasco placed 18th at 270.15.
“It was great that all three guys scored,” FSU head diving coach John Proctor said. “All three of our guys had dives today that were spot on, but they also had some mistakes and at this level, those kept us out of the final. But we saw some great things from our guys today and we’ll get recharged for Zones.”
Maddie McDonald capped off her career by finishing 12th in the 200 back with a time of 1:55.86 after she swam her season-best in prelims at 1:55.56. Sarah Evans also competed in the consolation heat, touching in 16th (1:59.00) after she swam a career best in prelims at 1:56.70. Evans now owns the eight-fastest mark in FSU history.
In the 100 free, Gloria Muzito added her best time at 49.08 for 21st place ahead of Zsofia Kurdi, who placed 24th (50.34) after posting a 49.59 in prelims. Muzito broke in to the FSU all-time top 10, where she now ranks fourth.
Maddy Huggins was the winner of the consolation heat of the 200 breast, contributing her best time of 2:10.01, just ahead of Julia Mansson in 11th at 2:10.74. Huggins’ swim still ranks fourth in school history.
Prior to the start of finals, Julia Brzozowski posted a time of 16:39.18 in the 1650 free for 17th place.
Florida State closed out the meet by placing seventh in the 400 free relay behind Muzito, Edith Jernstedt, Sophie Freeman and Tania Quaglieri with a time of 3:17.34.
The 18th-ranked men finished in sixth place with a score of 661 points and the women took seventh at 586.
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