The University of Virginia Cavaliers - led by the Walsh sisters Gretchen and Alex and boosted by record breaking efforts in relays and from Claire Curzan, crushed their opposition to take a fifth straight NCAA Women's Championship title in Federal Way, Washington, near Seattle, at the weekend.

The Cavaliers, he women known as the WaHoos (men the Hoos) and a coaching staff led by Todd DeSorbo, finished the four-day meet with 544 points, an ocean ahead of Stanford (417). In triumph, UVA became only the third school to win five consecutive NCAA team titles in the sport, joining Stanford (1992-96) and Texas (1984-88) - and they celebrated accordingly:

For the Walsh sisters, who grew up Nashville, the meet sealed their pioneering college careers. Each will leave UVA with nine NCAA titles in solo events, which ties them in fourth most all-time. Only seven swimmers have won nine or more individual NCAA titles.

For Alex Walsh, it was team title No5; for Gretchen, No4. Alex also matched a record set decades ago by a legend of the pool: in winning the 100 yards breaststroke, she made it victory in five different individual events during her college career. Just one other swimmer had accomplished the feat: Tracy Caulkins, more than 40 years ago. has accomplished that feat.

If the Walsh's have a pantheon-full of team trophies, Claire Curzan celebrated her first - and did so in a victory over her first college team, Stanford, before switching. She summed up with these words, via UVA:

“It’s everything I could have hoped for and more, honestly. You go through the whole year with the girls and you work towards this goal. And obviously there’s been a precedent set - four precedents set - so you are just working day in and day out for this moment and to be able to share it with them and to jump in the pool. It’s always fun to sing the Good Old Song. I finally feel like I’m a part of the team … I’m just really happy and I’m really proud of everyone.”

Gallery courtesy of UVA, with The Count Of Coach DeSorbo's Success: