As the spring equinox approaches, most winter sports programs are in the last stages of their respective seasons. The 2024-25 season was a mixed bag, with the top of a ACC championship in the pool and the bottom of disappointing Defeated on hardwood. While winter continues its decreasing hours, some sports writers share some last thoughts.
What rider is the MVP of the winter sports season?
Xander Tilock, sports editor: How could he be someone other than Gary Martin? The junior speedster for athletics has just led the male distance relay relay unit to a national title, and it ranked second in the 3000 meter competition. Thanks to Martin, the athletics team ranked sixth in the NCAA – the best finish in the history of the program. He won Records in Gogotook an apparently permanent residence on the podium and drew national attention to its efforts. Martin was undoubtedly one of the brightest stars in Virginia.
Victoria Blankenship, principal writer: Although she has only been here for a season, the senior striker Latasha Lattimore has made a name for herself in Virginia women’s basketball. Lattimore 23 points marked against then-no.8 North Carolina gave the team the energy they needed to upset Tar heels. In addition to that, she won more than 10 double in a single season. Lattimore also dominated the defensive, totaling 69 blocks and 28 interceptions. She undoubtedly took advantage of her limited time.
Ryan Weiner, main writer: Although the female basketball team record does not show it, the second year goalkeeper Kymora Johnson must be the MVP. She ended up in records this season, becoming the second player to record a triple double in the history of the program. She also struck the 1,000 points this season and conduit The point and aid team. The program would be in a much darker place without Johnson’s dynamic game, while raising everyone around it and kept the team in the matches in which they normally lose.
Theo Moll, staff editor: Let’s not think about it. The senior swimmer Gretchen Walsh has returned to Charlottesville with a multi-medail journey At the Paris Olympic Games this summer, and she resumed where she stopped. This season alone, Walsh set world recordbrought back seven ACC titles And received the “most precious swimmer” prize from the conference for the second consecutive year. It is easy to lose sight of Walsh in a team so incomprehensibly talented, but experts should not ignore the most important article on one of the most dominant dynasties of university athletics.
What was the most emblematic moment of the 2024-2025 winter sports season?
XT: Although the male basketball team has certainly taken its lumps this year, there were some funny facts. In particular, I will go with the junior guard Andrew Rohde Decide to ruin someone’s career with embarrassment. In Wake Forest on February 26, Rohde deployed a Juke moves – And the Dessor Deacon defender was sent to the Netherworld. Of course, the fact that Virginia continued to win a impressive The victory of the ACC Road was the icing on the top. Overall, the 2024-25 season was productive for Rohde, who stood out as one of the most important contributors in Virginia.
VB: It happened very recently when contributed At the ACC indoor championships on March 3, winning several gold medals at home. Martin And Ethan Robinson Senior has each broken a school record – establishing a new best time of 5,000 meters and 1,000 meters respectively. Senior Margot Appleton experienced a similar moment in Mile Women’s and broke the ACC championship record. The track and the field have led an impressive campaign this year, and dominating ACC is one of the main reasons why it happened.
RW: I’m going to have to take the biggest guinea pig to John Paul Jones Arena so far this year. Virginia worked during her first losing season in more than a decade, so the occasional culminating point was even more significant. Despite male basketball loss At No. 3 Duke, the crowd was unleashed when Redshirt Freshman Forward Anthony Robinson Met Freshman Guard Cooper Flagg On the rim and blocked the future first selection of NBA drafts. It was a moment inherited in what was a real improvement season for Robinson.
TM: Johnson triple-double Against Pittsburgh on February 16 is emblematic not only for its rarity in the history of Virginia athletics, but also for its representation of university’s growing commitment to women’s basketball. With the feat, Johnson joins a club containing only itself and the legend of rider Dawn Staley. By looking at the 2024 calendar year, the program has established an attendance of all time save and received a million dollars donation. Virginia’s women’s basketball hopes to enter a golden age, and Johnson is at the driver’s seat.
What winter sports program has the most to hope for next year?
XT: Swimming and diving for men. While the female team is at the center of the scene at any time – and rightly so – men must be considered a season in small groups that needed next year. Fueled by a star Recruitment class which includes three of the top four secondary swimmers, expect Virginia’s men to join the women’s team as national contenders.
VB: Women’s basketball. While their season has had a lot tall And descentJohnson and goalkeeper Breona Hurd are just a second year and first year student. With these two at the top, Virginia could considerably improve her offensive capacities. It is crucial, however, that the team finds a before to intervene Lattimore Place and take advantage of that big donation.
RW: While the wrestling program will lose great contributors like the fifth year Dylan CedenoThe majority of their range will return and will have a year to improve a 6-6 season. The current junior class is responsible for good wrestlers like Nick Hamilton, Jack and Michael Gioffre and Nick Sanko. The youngest love second -year student Gable Porter and Michael Murphy will also make big jumps, and this team will probably have a blow to compete for an ACC.
TM: Male basketball. Soon, the program will have a chance to do something that he has not done since October 2024 – slow down and stabilize. Soon, the whirlwind accompanying Tony Bennett sudden retirement Go calm. Soon, the program coach will no longer be preceded by “provisional”. Although it remains to be seen who will wear orange and blue next year, including training The level, Virginie will work with an increasingly developed and comfortable list or will be able to start again. Both are a step in the right direction.