The Terrapin swimming and diving season only kicked off nine days ago, but the penultimate event of Friday’s meet against North Carolina already offered a prime example of the Terps’ mettle.

The outcome of the meet was already all but decided before the 31st event — the women’s 200 free relay — was set to begin. By the midpoint of the race, the Tar Heels had a slight edge despite a sound start from Terps Annie Fittin and Megan Lafferty.

However, in the third leg, Blair Cross caught North Carolina’s Katie Nolan to even the gap, allowing anchor Ginny Glover to play the role of closer.

Glover did just that, passing Sarah Tanner by a few finger lengths, helping the Terps to a winning margin of 0.66 seconds in what largely was an otherwise overmatched 165-127 loss. The Terp men lost in a similar result, 165-121.

“I think we had some of our swims that were at the top end, and championship-style swims that are going to line us up for the end of the season and for Terp Cup championships,” coach Sean Schimmel said. “But we certainly didn’t have enough of them or the depth. … It’s always a wake-up call when you come into a meet like that within the conference, and we don’t have that hitting and getting the points that we need.”

Glover had another impressive meet for the women’s squad (2-1, 2-1 ACC), placing first in the 200 back (1:59.43) by more than a second.

“Ginny’s 200 back was really sharp. Not only was it sharp that she won, but that was a pretty impressive time,” Schimmel said. “I would say that’s the swim of the meet for me from either of our men or women, and getting under two minutes and at only 1:59, that’s just a great job at the end of October.”

The men’s team (0-3, 0-3 ACC) did not have any individual first-place winners, although captain Mitch Challacombe placed second in the 100 back, Matt Gruszecki nabbed second in the 50 free, and captain Andrew Relihan captured second in the 200 back.

The meet had an added significance that was clearly visible as flocks of black-and-pink T-shirts dotted the crowd at Eppley Recreation Center.

Cross spearheaded a campaign to raise money for breast cancer awareness for the meet. She broached the idea to the team during a recent practice and received unanimous support.

“You hear about breast cancer, but until you meet somebody or until you hear that story, it just doesn’t click,” Cross said. “That was just something that our team really showed their true character and coming together and being able to support one cause. I love our team for that.”

Schimmel has had his own experience dealing with the disease, as his mother is a breast cancer survivor. She is currently in remission and was able to attend the meet Friday.

“Blair initiated the whole thing, and it really came from the team. I don’t think they even knew about my mom until after the whole process started,” Schimmel said. “I’m just really proud to surround myself with some student-athletes that have that ability to be aware of bigger causes than themselves.”

The Terps return to competition Nov. 13 when they hosts Towson and UMBC.

castello@umdbk.com