Oct. 17, 2014
ATLANTA, Ga. –
The South Carolina women’s swimming and diving team defeated both Georgia Tech (177-123) and Notre Dame (180-120) to improve to 2-1 on the season. The Gamecock men fell to Georgia Tech 186-114 and are now 1-1 on the year.
The women claimed seven events led by freshman Sarah Smith who took first place in the 500 (5:02.19) and 1000 freestyle (10:13.60). Victoria Mitchell (200 backstroke), Meredith Vay (100 freestyle) and Mairyn Branaman (100 butterfly) all added wins for the Gamecocks. In the diving well, Patricia Kranz and Julia Vincent claimed the one-meter and three-meter, respectively.
The 200 medley relay team of Heather Merritt, Ellen Johnson, Branaman and Vay finished second with a time of 1:45.19. The women also recorded a second-place finish in the 400 freestyle relay (2:29.78) with the team of Rachel Elliott, Caroline Petrone, Merritt and Vay.
Nils Wich-Glasen picked up two wins for the men’s team, as he took first in both the 100 (56.14) and 200 breaststroke (2:01.02). Kevin Leithold finished second in both the 100 freestyle (45.10) and the 100 butterfly (49.09). Jared Kauffman recorded a pair of third-place finishes in the 100 (57.30) and 200 breaststroke (2:05.53) and took second in the 200 IM (1:54.70).
Wich Glasen and Leithold teamed up with Jonathan Boland and Joshua Clothier to take second in the 200 medley relay (1:31.20). The pair also finished second in the 400 freestyle relay along with Marwan El Kamash and Michael Covert.
Key Stat
The women defeated both opponents by at least 50 points, winning seven of 16 events
Notables
Men’s
- Nils Wich-Glasen remains undefeated this season after winning both the 100 and 200 breaststroke
- Bryce Kananowicz posted a new personal record in the 200 IM (1:55.20)
- Cole Miller picked up his second consecutive win on the three-meter springboard
Women’s
- Sarah Smith picked up her first collegiate win in the 1000 freestyle with a time of 10:13.60, which is a new personal record
- Mairyn Branaman recorded her first collegiate win in the 100 butterfly with a time of 56.75
- Meredith Vay logged her second consecutive win in the 100 freestyle
- Heather Merritt (56.87) and Branaman (56.75) posted new personal records in the 100 butterfly
- Julia Vincent took first place on the three-meter springboard (348.30) for her first collegiate win
- Marissa Roth made her collegiate debut, she finished third on the three-meter (278.10) and seventh on the one-meter (246.60)
Quotable
Head swimming Coach McGee Moody
“This was one of the best wins for our women’s team in program history. They stepped up and raced hard. I’m very proud of the steps this team has taken over the last few seasons to get to where they are today. They were able to beat a team (Notre Dame) that finished in the top-20 last year at the NCAA Championships. The men did the best they could and put up some good times, but came up short in the end. We’ll regroup and be ready to race against East Carolina and College of Charleston.”
Head diving coach Todd Sherritt
“Overall we had a good meet, we finished with three wins. Cole Miller came back to win the three-meter (after placing fifth on the one-meter) and I was happy with that. Julia Vincent had a great meet; she had a really good score (348.30) on the three-meter. Our freshman, Marissa Roth, did an incredible job and I thought she really shined.”
Up Next
The Gamecocks begin their home slate with the women hosting Florida Gulf Coast on Oct. 31; both squads will then face East Carolina and College of Charleston on Nov. 8.
