When Sara Curtis arrived at the University of Virginia, the Italian was already an established force on the international scene. Not only was Curtis a semifinalist in the 50-meter freestyle at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, she was a finalist in the 100 freestyle at last summer’s World Championships in Singapore. But the best days appear ahead for the 19-year-old sprint star.
Last month, Curtis helped UVA capture its sixth consecutive team title at the NCAA Championships. While Curtis finished second in the 50-yard freestyle and third in the 100 freestyle, she was at her finest in relay action, where she propelled the Cavaliers to four victories. That short-course success quickly shifted to long-course excellence when Curtis returned home for the Italian Championships.
