Feb. 27, 2016

ATHENS, Ga. – One week after breaking the University of South Carolina’s school record in the 500-yard freestyle, sophomore Taylor Worrell set the mark again on Saturday. Swimming at the University of Georgia’s Last Chance Invitational, Worrell turned in a time of 4:41.67, besting her previous record by 1.53 seconds.

The swim puts Worrell in prime position to compete at the NCAA Division I Women’s Championships, which run March 17-19 in Atlanta, Ga.

Worrell was not the only Gamecock to compete Saturday in Athens with an eye toward bettering their NCAA chances. Senior Kevin Leithold swam the 100-yard breaststroke in 53.08, improving his season best by .55 seconds.

Junior Jonathan Boland, who swam a school record in the 100-yard backstroke last week at the SEC Championships, turned in a swim of 48.45 on Saturday.

All three Gamecocks currently sport NCAA B Cut times in their respective races. The NCAA Men’s Championships will be held a week after the women’s meet, also in Atlanta.

UP NEXT FOR CAROLINA

Worrell will swim the 200-yard butterfly on Sunday at Georgia, while Leithold and Boland take part in the 100-yard freestyle. Freshman Cody Bekemeyer will also attempt to bolster his NCAA prospects on Sunday when he swims in the 1,650-yard freestyle.