CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) — After UVA swimming alumna and 2024 Paris Olympian Kate Douglass set a world record in the 50-meter freestyle sprint at the Tyr Pro Swim Series in Indianapolis last week, her UVA and Team USA teammate Gretchen Walsh broke the record herself whilst competing for the Sette Colli Trophy in Rome.   

Walsh was present when Douglass set her mark of 23.59 as part of a 27-athlete UVA contingent at the meet in Indianapolis.  Walsh bested that with a mark of 23.55 seconds in Rome.   She also set an American record in the 100-meter butterfly (24.51) to begin her competition with.  

UVA second-year Sara Curtis was also at the Rome meet and set four Italian records in three days, as well as a European record in the finals of the 50-meter backstroke.  She finished in third position in the 50-meter freestyle behind Walsh’s world record gold

Cavaliers’ World Cup runs end

UVA soccer alumni Joe Bell and Derrick Etienne Jr.’s debut campaigns at the men’s FIFA World Cup have come to an end.

Bell, who has been playing in central midfield for New Zealand, was subbed off in the 64th minute in their final group stage match against Belgium.  The All Whites fell 5-1 to the Red Devils and were eliminated from the tournament.  Bell played all 90 minutes in New Zealand’s 2-2 draw with Iran and 3-1 defeat to Egypt. 

The Wanaka New Zealand native played at UVA from 2017-2019.  He was named the ACC Midfielder of the Year in 2019.  Bell currently plays his club soccer at Viking in the Norwegian First Division.   

Etienne Jr. saw the pitch once for Haiti in the 2026 World Cup.  He was subbed on in the 81st minute in the Haitians’ 3-0 defeat to Brazil.  Haiti was eliminated from the tournament after losing all three of its matches against Scotland, Brazil, and Morocco. 

Etienne played for the Cavaliers in 2015 and debuted in MLS for the New York Red Bulls in 2016.  After seeing action with Columbus Crew and Atlanta United, Etienne has played for Toronto FC since 2024. 

UVA track’s Lannana named ACC Coach of the Year

Vin Lannana, Virginia’s Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Coach, was named Outdoor ACC Men’s Coach of the Year on Friday.  This is the third such accolade in Lannana’s career, after winning the women’s coach of the year award last year and the men’s honor in 2024. Lannana led the Cavaliers to their second ACC Outdoor Championship in 2026, after winning in 2009. On his watch, 34 Hoos qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene in 2026. 

UVA golf coach agrees to extension

UVA men’s golf coach Bowen Sargent has agreed to a contract extension through the 2030 season. Under Sargent’s stewardship, men’s golf has won back-to-back ACC Championships in 2025 and 2026, appeared in four straight NCAA tournaments, and he has earned back-to-back ACC Coach of the Year honors in 2025 and 2026.   

Sargent also became the first UVA Coach to earn the Williams Award, given to the best golf coach in the NCAA, this past season.   

“It has been a joy to coach at Virginia for the past 22 years, and I’m so proud of all we’ve accomplished together,” Sargent said in a UVA release. “So many program firsts made possible by the incredible support of our donors, alumni and athletic department staff. I’m excited to keep building on the recent success of Virginia golf.” 

‘Hoos take part in MLB Combine

Four players on the 2026 Virginia baseball team participated in the 2026 MLB Draft Combine last week.  Shortstop Eric Becker, second baseman Joe Tiroly, two-way player Kyle Johnson, and center fielder AJ Gracia all showcased their skills Tuesday at Chase Field in Phoenix ahead of the MLB Draft.  The 2026 MLB Draft will begin July 11 and will be broadcast on MLB Network.   

As for the Cavaliers still on Grounds, they will open the 2027 season at the Shriner’s Children’s College Showdown at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.   The stadium plays host to the Texas Rangers during the regular season.  The showdown is scheduled for February 19-21, and the Cavaliers will face Arizona, Clemson, Oklahoma, Texas, and TCU.   

Virginia women’s tennis players honored

Five members of UVA women’s tennis earned All-ACC Academic Team honors after excelling on and off the courts. 

First-year Kaitlyn Rolls and transfer student Vivian Yang notched their first selections to the squad.  Second year Isabelle Lacy won her second place in the squad. Senior Annabelle Xu and fifth-year Melodie Collard each earned their fourth nominations this season.

Mans Dahlberg, Jangjun Kim, and Dylan Dietrich were the three selections to the All-ACC Academic Team from the men’s squad.  Dietrich was also named the ACC Men’s Tennis Scholar-Athlete of the Year due to his marks in the classroom and performance on the court. Dietrich remains the No. 1 ranked ITA Tennis Player.