Jan. 7, 2005

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina men’s and women’s swimming and diving returns back to the pool on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. as the Gamecocks host the Auburn Tigers at the Carolina Natatorium in dual meet competition. South Carolina enters with a 1-2 dual meet record on the men’s side and a 2-2 mark on the women’s side. Auburn, the defending national champions in men’s and women’s swimming & diving, is making their first trip to Columbia since the 2001 season.

Saturday’s meet is the first of two consecutive home meets for Carolina. USC will be back in action next week on Saturday to host Kentucky on Senior Day before heading on the road for its final two dual meets of the year at Alabama and Georgia. The 2005 SEC Championships are in Gainesville, Fla. this year with the diving portion February 11-13 and the swimming format February 16-19.

Several USC freshmen are at the top of the list in a majority of events on both the women’s and men’s side this season. Christy Williams leads the women’s team with a top time four events this year (200 freestyle, 100 butterfly, 200 butterfly, 200 individual medley). Heather Roffey also leads in two events (500 freestyle, 1000 freestyle) as does Mandee Cregar (100 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke). For the USC men, freshman Dan White is the leader in 500 freestyle, and 1000 freestyle. Kevin Cargill is also atop the lists of the 100 and 200 backstroke as well as the 1650 freestyle.

A trio of juniors on the men’s side are also making an impact. Reid Duff is the Gamecocks top swimmer in the 50 and 100 freestyle with Tamas Bathazi leading the way in the 100 and 200 butterfly and Justin Kata the fastest in the 100 and 200 breaststroke.