Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
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DECEMBER 2023 33 cavalier profile NOAH NICHOLS Fourth-Year • Swimming Prior to signing on to join the Virginia swimming and diving team, Noah Nichols was self-described "not in the swimming world," and he brought his infectious energy and fun attitude to a program that requires immense focus and training. It took time for Nichols to find his rhythm at Virginia and with the swimming and diving program, causing him to question whether this was really the right decision for him. Eventually the Midlothian, Va., native settled and found his place on the team. His kinetic energy has become a key part of UVA's success in the pool. "I'm not a very serious person, I don't like to overthink things," Nichols said. "Everything starts to fall apart on me if I overthink things on deck. Just having fun with my teammates gets me into the right mindset. That allows me to keep having fun with the intense training, intense pressure that comes with being at such a high level in this sport." In his third-year season, Nichols really emerged as a leader for the UVA men's team. His hard work and training started to show up in his results in the pool as well. One of the biggest moments for the men's team recently was when Nichols broke a 21-year-old pool record in the 100-yard breaststroke. The record, originally set by UVA great Ed Moses, now has his name cemented on the walls at the Aquatic and Fitness Center. Nichols followed that performance by winning his first individual league title, taking the 100-yard breaststroke at the 2023 ACC Championships. He swam a UVA-record time of 50.82 to win the event, and it was the eighth-fastest time in the NCAA last season. Heading into the NCAA Championships, Nichols had set the goal of a top-five finish, and beyond that he wanted to take the summer to focus on making the U.S. National Team. Although he fell just short of the first goal, Nichols stuck with the training and found himself as a National Team selection after just missing the World Aquatics Championship qualifying but securing a spot on the U.S. Pan Ameri- can Team. Nichols went on to win gold in the 100 breaststroke at the Pan Ams in October, and so far this season he ranks sixth in the NCAA in the 100 breaststroke. — Kristin Thurman • Photo courtesy UVA