Gamecocks Host Gardner-Webb Saturday in Season Opener

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina swimming & diving kicks off its 2021-22 season on Sat., Oct. 9, at the Carolina Natatorium. The Gamecocks will face Gardner-Webb in the first dual meet under new head coach, Jeff Poppell, along with an entirely new coaching staff.
 
“We need to find out what our team looks like,” said Poppell. “Being a new staff, we’re trying to figure out where our strengths and our weaknesses lie in our lineup.”
 
Admission to the meet is free with competition getting started at 11 a.m. and pre-meet events beginning at 10:50 a.m. Live scoring and results will be provided through MeetMobile.
 
The Gamecocks welcome 21 newcomers to this year’s squad, including Team USA diver Sophie Verzyl and Israeli Olympian Michael Laitarovsky.
 
NCAA qualifier Janie Smith returns to the pool for the Gamecocks this year after breaking the school record last season with a career-best time of 48.69 in the 100 free.
 
Program record-holder AJ Ross has returned for a fifth year. Ross earned 11 entries in the school record books during his first four seasons as a Gamecock.
 
A number of Gamecocks will also be back in action after gaining experience in the Olympic trials over the summer. Ross was joined at the trials by Phil Costin, Luke Massey, Georgia Johnson, Megan Armstrong and Taylor Steele.
 
The University of South Carolina continues to abide by the City of Columbia face mask ordinance and requires face coverings at all times in campus buildings.
 
For all the latest South Carolina swimming & diving information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockSwim).