March 28, 2014
AUSTIN, Texas – As the second night of the NCAA Men’s Swimming & Diving Championships came to a close, South Carolina’s 800 freestyle relay team comprised of seniors Michael Flach, Gerard Rodriguez, sophomore Marwan El Kamash and redshirt freshman Kevin Leithold earned All-America honors as they finished 12th overall at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center.
Entering the meet, the team had the 16th fastest time in the nation, but were able to finish 12th in the one race that mattered most as they clocked in at 6:21.98. This is the second year in a row that the Gamecocks have earned All-America honors in the event. El Kamash, Flach and Rodriguez were all apart of last season’s group.
This year, the relay team finished one spot ahead of last year mark. It was the Gamecocks highest finish in the event since 2007 when they were 11th.Carolina secured 10 points with the finish and are currently in 31st place.
During the early session, the Gamecocks started the day in the 200 medley relay prelims as the team comprised of Jay Warner, Kevin Leithold, Michael Flach and Marwan El Kamash finished the event in 26th place after finishing with a time of 1:27.39.
A few events later, El Kamash was back in the pool to compete in the 200 freestyle prelims. The sophomore finished 35th overall as he touched the wall in 1:36.41.
Carolina will have one event remaining tomorrow as El Kamash will compete in the 100 freestyle on the final day of the championships. Prelims will start at 12 p.m., ET.
