Nov. 30, 2007
TUSCALOOSA, Ala./COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Gamecock swimmers completed day one at the Alabama Classic on Friday evening at the Aquatic Center in Tuscaloosa, where Dominique Lendjel and Andrew Atzhorn finished first and second, respectively, in the final heat of the men’s 200-meter IM. Freshman twins Claire and Christine Thompson finished second and third, respectively, in the women’s 400-meter freestyle event. For the Gamecock divers, junior David Ovelson advanced to Friday’s evening final of the men’s one-meter event at the Ohio State Invite, held at the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion in Columbus. Ovelson finished fifth with a total of 333.40.
Lendjel posted a 2:04.30, followed by Atzhorn’s second-place mark of 2:06.59 in the 200-meter IM. Pacing the Carolina women were the Thompson twins who turned in yet another back-to-back top three-finish in the mid-distance events. Claire finished second in the 400 free, posting a time of 4:17.87, followed by Christine with a mark of 4:22.96.
Also posting a strong finish on the women’s side was the 400-meter IM medley relay squad, comprised of freshman Megan Sparks, seniors Mandee Cregar, and Christy Williams and Claire Thompson in the anchor position. The team took third in the event with a mark of 4:21.91. The Gamecock 200-yard freestyle relay squad comprised of Christine Thompson, sophomore Kristina Delp, freshman Bridgett Halligan and Claire Thompson also took first in the morning session with a mark of 1:27.71.
In Columbus, Ovelson posted the top Gamecock effort of the day, followed by Corry Christian who stood 24th following the preliminary round. On the women’s side, freshman Allison Barr posted the top USC total in the three-meter with a 232.90 in preliminary competition. Freshman Taryn Zack and sophomore’s Sarah Mory and Morgan Ricke also competed for USC.
The men’s divers will compete in the three-event, while the women will compete in the one-meter diving event on Saturday.
Both the men’s and women’s team continue competition on Saturday with preliminary heats beginning at 8 a.m. ET.
