Upcoming Event: Swimming & Diving at Tennessee on January 30, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET Friday / 10 a.m. ET Saturday
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5 p.m. ET Friday / 10 a.m. ET Saturday
Swimming & Diving
at Tennessee
Duke Swimming and Diving Open Season at Coast
10/14/2010 9:51:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
DURHAM, N.C. - The Duke swimming and diving team will kick off its season on the road in Wilmington, N.C. on October 16, in a 2 p.m. match at the Seahawk Natatorium.
The Blue Devils have faced the Seahawks in their opening match-up for the last four years, and have posted numerous wins against UNCW. Last season the Blue Devils defeated the Seahawks 170-120 on the men's side, and 175-120 on the women's.
In the 2009-10 season, the Seahawk men were the Colonial Athletic Association champions, while the women finished second in the conference.
Duke finished its 2009-10 season with a sixth place finish in the ACC championships on both the men and women's side. The men went 3-6 (1-5 ACC) and the women notched a record of 6-5 (1-5 ACC). The men's side also cracked the top 20 in the NCAA tournament, while the women finished in the top 30.
The men managed to break 12 new records for the season, nine of which were school records, and three were pool records. The women also had a productive season breaking three school records and one pool record of their own.
But for head coach Dan Colella, now in his sixth season with Duke, this is only the beginning of what he feels this program can accomplish.
"I'm most looking forward to seeing this group of student-athletes achieve new heights," said Colella. "I think this group is ready to do some things both in the conference and making a statement on a national front."
Returning for the Blue Devil men are Nick Garvy, Spencer Booth, Ben Hwang and Ben Tuben. Also returning is sophomore Nick McCrory. McCrory set a new standard for Duke diving last season, breaking six of the 12 men's records. The freshman broke all the diving records and took home first place in the NCAAs for platform diving.
Duke returns several top performers for the women including All-America senior Ashley Twichell, who placed in the NCAA Tournament in the 1650 freestyle. The women also return the ACCs Most Valuable Diver and All-America, Abby Johnston, along with swimmers Emily Barber and Emily Kintz.
Also looking to make an impression this season is diving coach Drew Johansen, who has created a renowned program in his four years with the program.
"I try to stay away from expectations," said Johansen. "I'm just looking for the whole team to stay healthy and to train consistently, and the results will take care of themselves."
The team also added 14 new freshmen to the roster, including one of the highest recruiting classes the Blue Devils have had. Headlining the women's side is 2008 U.S. Olympian, Haley Ishimatsu.
Previous Meetings with UNCW
Duke first faced off against the coastal university in 1982. In their previous meets against UNC Wilmington, the Blue Devils have more often than not defeated the Seahawks. The men's overall record stands at 14-10, the women's at 18-7 and the overall record stands at 32-17. Both teams last faced UNCW in the 2009-2010 season opener, winning on both sides.
Season Openers Under Colella
In his past five years with the program, head coach Dan Colella has only lost once in a season opener. In Colella's first year with the Blue Devils, both the men's and women's side fell to conference rival N.C. State. Since the 2005-06 season, Duke had not lost a season opener either home or away.
Up Next for the Blue Devils
The Blue Devils will return to Taishoff Aquatic Pavilion for their home opener on Saturday, October 23 to face the Maryland Terrapins at 1 p.m.
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Players Mentioned
Breaststroke
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Free/Back/Fly
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Sprints
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Diving
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Back/IM
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Diving
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Butterfly
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