Virginia wins Swimmer, Coach of the Year VaSID honors

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

The Virginia men’s swimming & diving team took two of the top honors and had 11 first-team All-State selections from the Virginia Sports Information Directors Association (VaSID) on Wednesday.

Freshman Matt Brownstead (Port Matilda, Pa.) was named the VaSID Swimmer of the Year and Todd DeSorbo was named Coach of the Year to highlight the top honors for the Cavaliers.

DeSorbo led Virginia to its second-best finish in program history, placing ninth at the 2021 NCAA Championships. Virginia earned 28 All-America honors and saw five UVA school records on the season. The Cavaliers finished fourth at the ACC Championships, with two ACC individual titles and five All-ACC honors.

Brownstead earned VaSID Swimmer of the Year honors after winning two ACC individual championships (50 free, 100 free). Brownstead set UVA school records in 50 and 100 free during the season and earned six All-America honors at NCAA Championship. He helped UVA to its second-best finish in school history at NCAA Championships and best finish since 2011. Brownstead was part of four school record setting relays during the season and was named ACC Swimmer of the Week after winning two events in dual vs. Navy.

In addition, Virginia earned 11 first-team All-State honors and three second-team honors. Brownstead (sprint free), Jack Walker (distance free), Will Cole (backstroke), Justin Grender (backstroke), Keefer Barnum (breaststroke), Matt Otto (breaststroke), Sean Conway (IM) and the 200-yard freestyle relay, 200-yard medley relay and 400-yard medley relay all were selected to the first team.

Max Edwards (butterfly) as well as the 400-yard freestyle relay and the 800-yard freestyle relay were selected to the second team.