Laitarovsky Remains Undefeated in 100 Back in Loss to No. 2/3 Florida
Gainesville, Fla. – South Carolina swimming fell to No. 2/3 Florida in a Friday afternoon dual. The No. 2 Gator men defeated the Gamecocks 164-93 while the No. 3 Gator women took down the No. 21 Gamecock women 175-82.
Junior Michael Laitarovky highlighted the day for the team with his individual win in the 100 backstroke. The Natanya, Israel, native swam a 48.18 for first place, allowing him to remain undefeated on the season with six wins.
South Carolina’s divers also wrapped up action at the Tennessee Diving Invitational on Friday with the men’s platform event and the women’s 1-meter springboard.
Swimming Notables
- In the men’s 1000 free, freshman Connor Fry placed second with a time of 9:11.61. The finish gives him his fourth top-two finish of the season in the event. Fellow freshman Umut Yildirim finished fourth in the event with a time of 9:24.88.
- Junior Linus Kahl returned to the pool for South Carolina after missing much of the fall season due to injury and made the most of his first swim back, claiming second in the 100 breast with a time of 56.01. He was followed in third place by senior Daniel West who swam a 56.02.
- Sophomore Jordan Agliano tied her highest career finish in the women’s 200 fly, placing third with a time of 1:59.09. Following her was Greta Pelzek in fourth (2:01.22), Breckin Gormley in fifth (2:03.57), and Nicholle Toh in sixth (2:03.64).
- In the women’s 50 free, senior Aubrey Chandler finished in third with a 23.45. She was followed in fourth by Peyton Curry (23.86) and in fifth place by Dylan Scholes (23.91).
- Senior Mark Shperkin was the top performing Gamecock in the men’s 50 free, placing second with a 20.56.
- Chandler got back in after the break with another third-place performance, this one in the 100 free with a time of 51.34. Freshman Ellery Ottem touched just behind Chandler in fourth place with a 51.72.
- Senior Pia Murray saw her first action in the pool as a Gamecock, placing third in the 200 back in 2:03.20.
- Junior Wylie Kruse swam a 1:47.51 in the 200 back to place second, his fifth top-two finish of the season.
- Fry picked up another second-place finish in a distance event, this one in the 500 free with a 4:32.57. It was his fourth top-three finish of the season.
- Kahl made his presence known at the competition, earning another second-place finish in the 100 fly with a time of 48.80.
Diving Notables
- Freshman Max Spencer led the men’s team in the platform event, placing 10th with an NCAA Zone qualifying score of 316.75. Sophomore Charley Bayer placed 16th with a 280.30 while freshman Tyler Hoard placed 21st with a 232.90.
- In the women’s 1-meter event, junior Blair Isenhour led the team in 19th place with a 242.60.
- In her first collegiate 1-meter competition, freshman Aislinn Zuechner placed 20th with a 235.60.
Head Coach Jeff Poppell on the Team’s Performance
“Overall, I’m really proud of our group and the way they competed today against a very strong Florida team. The experience should help us a great deal as we move into the championship segment of our season. I felt like we were a little rusty today coming off the winter break and the 6-week layoff since our last competition however that’s always pretty typical the first meet of the new year. I think we’ve identified quite a bit that we can focus and improve upon moving forward. Michael Laitarovsky, Connor Fry, and Wylie Kruse had a solid meet for our men. On the women’s side, Jordan Agliano, Aubrey Chandler and Bella Pantano posted some of their strongest dual meet swims of the season.”
Up Next for the Gamecocks
South Carolina will return home for their final home meet of the season on Sat., Jan. 20 where they will host Duke and UNC-Asheville in a Tri-meet. The meet will begin at 11:00 a.m. with the Gamecocks’ honoring their senior class prior to the start of the dual at 10:30 a.m.
For all the latest South Carolina swimming and diving information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecockSwmDive).
Tennessee Diving Invitational Results
Men’s Platform
Finals
10 – Max Spencer – 316. 75
16 – Charley Bayer – 280.30
21 – Tyler Hoard – 232.90
Women’s 1-meter
Prelims
19 – Blair Isenhour – 242.60
20 – Aislinn Zuechner – 235.60
27 – Mak Blake – 213.65
36 – Josie Matalone – 153.35
