Feb. 27, 2004
Athens, Ga. – After day three of competition at Gabrielsen Natatorium in Athens, Ga. the Gamecock men are in eighth place and the women are in fourth. On a day full of records, the Gamecocks broke a few records of their own.
For the women, Senior Jennifer Van Assen continued her leadership with a second place finish in the 200-yard freestyle. While doing this, she accomplished her season best time of 1:45.80 while setting a new USC record. At one point in the season Van Assen held the top time in the nation in this event. Van Assen was also a part of the 200 freestyle relay team that won third place honors tonight along with Heather Skaggs, Ashleigh Bastak and Carolynn McHugh. Their time of 1:30.53 is a best on the season and also set a new USC record. Also for the women, Freshman Kendel Fiorentino set another personal best for herself in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:19.90 bringing her in at 14th. Fiorentino also finished 13th in the 200-yard butterfly (2:04.36) with Meagan Johnson finishing 11th with a time of 2:03.67.
On the men’s side, the Gamecocks had three swimmers in the consolation for the 200-yard freestyle. Freshman, Colby Mack finished 14th with a time of 1:40.03. Tamas Bathazi set a new personal best tonight with a time of 1:39.22 and finished 12th. Senior Istvan Bathazi came in 11th with a time of 1:38.35. Senior, Lir Derieg finished 14th in the 200 yard backstroke with a time of 1:49.67, a personal best for him. Head Coach Don Gibb is looking forward to what the men can do in tomorrow’s competition. “I think that we are ready for tomorrow and we will be competitive”.
Coach Gibb was very pleased with the performances tonight. “I am very proud of Jenn (Van Assen) and the relay team. That was a wonderful way to end the night.”
Preliminary rounds begin tomorrow morning at 10:30.
