March 2, 2016

COLUMBIA, S.C. – On a day when two University of South Carolina swimmers were invited to the NCAA Division I Women’s Championships, the Gamecocks celebrated more history, as both the men’s and women’s Gamecocks were listed in the final College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) polls of the season. The Gamecock men are No. 22 in the last top-25 of the season, while the women finished 24th.

For the Carolina women, it’s the first CSCAA national ranking of the season, and it’s also the first time in history that both the Gamecock men and women have been ranked at the same time.

Both Gamecock squads finished the season 6-3 in dual meets. The Carolina men placed seventh at the SEC Championships, led by Akaram Mahmoud’s conference title in the 1,650-yard freestyle. The Gamecock women finished 11th at the conference meet.

Earlier on Wednesday, two Gamecocks were selected to the NCAA Women’s Championships. Head Coach McGee Moody’s team will be represented by Emma Barksdale in the 400-yard IM and Taylor Worrell in the 500-yard freestyle.

Barksdale and Worrell aren’t the only Gamecocks who will represent South Carolina on the national stage. Mahmoud currently owns an NCAA A Cut time in two races and will likely be joined by several of his Gamecock men’s teammates when those selections are revealed next week. The men’s and women’s divers still have one more step to qualify for the NCAA Championships, as Zone Diving will be held next week.

UP NEXT FOR CAROLINA

The Carolina divers will attempt to qualify for the NCAA Championships when they compete at the NCAA Zone B Diving Championships, which run March 7-9. The NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships are scheduled for March 16-19, with the Men’s Championships booked one week later. All three events will take place at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta, Ga.