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Yesterday, thousands of Virginia students wore the honors of Honor as they crossed ranks from students to graduates of (in my opinion) the greatest place on Earth. Of the roughly four thousand graduates, 143 were members of the various 23 athletic teams around Grounds. Congratulations to all those who walked the Lawn. You have truly earned it, and are now members of the best alumni network around! You will remember that day for the rest of your life, and hang that diploma proudly. Wahoowa.
Congratulations, Class of 2014 Hoo Crew. Remember, you are a wahoo for life! #UVAGrad #GoHoos
— Hoo Crew (@UVaHooCrew) May 18, 2014
ICYMI A total of 143 student-athletes are scheduled to graduate from UVa this weekend. Congrats to all! #GoHoos #UVAGrad
— Virginia Cavaliers (@VirginiaSports) May 18, 2014
Very proud of our 27 players who will receive their degrees today or by the end of the summer session. #UVaGrad pic.twitter.com/Z7p5qBvLh1
— Mike London (@CoachMikeLondon) May 18, 2014
Graduation day! So proud.... pic.twitter.com/s4u71iTnMQ
— UVA Women's Lax (@UVAWomensLax) May 18, 2014
Graduation day for the fourth years #honorsofhonor #wahoowa #allin pic.twitter.com/apmknGFsQj
— UVa Women's Soccer (@UVaWSoccer) May 18, 2014
What an awesome four years! Great end to an amazing chapter in my life! University of Virginia graduate! http://t.co/WakGqOWPaa
— Jake McGee (@JakeOvaTheWorld) May 18, 2014
This week in Virginia athletics, the Hoos kept rolling in the post season.
Women's rowing won the ACC Championship, its fifth straight, sweeping all four regattas. The championship was Virginia's 14th in 15 seasons, utterly dominating the competition.
The #5 Virginia rowing team won the ACC Championship for the 5th year in a row, and automatically qualifies for the NCAA Championships.
— NBC29 (@NBC29) May 17, 2014
The ACC title is Virginia's fifth of the 2013-2014 season, joining men's basketball (whee!), women's swimming and diving, and men's and women's tennis.
Speaking of tennis...both men's and women's tennis partook in NCAA matches this week, with varying degrees of success. Julia Elbaba and the women's team defeated Baylor 4-1 in the Round of 16, but fell to defending national champion Stanford. The loss wrapped up the most successful season in school history, finishing with a 24-6 record, ranked No. 4 in the country, and an appearance in the NCAA Quarterfinals.
Men's tennis slammed Notre Dame 4-1 to get into the NCAA Quarters, where they blanked Baylor 4-0. The Hoos will face their arch nemesis USC in the semifinals today, and live streaming is available here.
Into the Semis vs USC tomorrow! #Letsgohoos http://t.co/TarA1A9vC5
— Mitchell Frank (@MitchellHFrank) May 18, 2014
In a big upset, the Virginia women's lacrosse team continued trudging through the post season behind a 6-0 second half run that propelled them past the third seeded Tar Heels from North Carolina. The win pushes the Cavaliers into the NCAA Final Four, facing fellow-ACC squad Syracuse this Friday at 5pm in Towson, MD.
Additionally, the win put the Hoos into the same category as men's and women's soccer:
The #ACC has had three teams in the final four in FIVE different sports this year (M&W Lacrosse, M&W Soccer, Field Hockey)
— George Lane (@GMLane) May 18, 2014
This week Joe Harris (#swoon) attended the NBA Combine, and a couple teams had some nice reviews of the 6-6 sharp shooter (although we're all just hoping he dyes his hair, throws on a fake mustache, and comes back for another four years).
Philly.com said Harris may have been "the best shooter of the day", and the Timberwolves said he "...showcased nice touch on his jumpshot." The draft will take place June 26.
Meet #NBADraft prospect @joeharrisuva from Virginia #NBACombine https://t.co/NujrOvj3Em
— NBA Draft (@NBADraft) May 14, 2014
Finally, check out Peyton Manning's valediction from Saturday.
Well played, Mr. Manning...throw in a Thomas Jefferson reference and we'll be your friends for life:
"I challenge you: Show the world, by your actions, where the real sustainable value is. I'll paraphrase your founder, Thomas Jefferson, who said, 'If you want to know who you are, don't ask. Act. Action will delineate and define you.'"
As always, let's go Hoos!