Oct. 15, 2011
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The South Carolina swimming and diving teams opened the 2011-12 season on Saturday in a challenging tri-meet at Florida State against the Seminoles and Alabama at the Morcom Aquatics Center.
The Gamecock women pulled out a thrilling 151-149 victory over the Crimson Tide but fell to Florida State, 201.50-93.50. The Carolina men lost to the Seminoles, 199-101, and dropped a 171-129 decision to Alabama.
Sophomore Rachael Schaffer helped the Gamecocks clinch the win over Alabama as she claimed first in the 200 IM with a time of 2:04.58, while freshman Annika Jonsson placed third in the event with a time of 2:08.67.
Jonsson also finished third in the 500 freestyle (5:01.93) and the 1,000-yard freestyle (10:18.81).
The Carolina women had two runner-up finishes on the day. Sophomore Amanda Rutqvist placed second in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:17.35. On the boards, senior Courtney Forcucci finished second on the three-meter springboard (281.15) and third on the one-meter springboard (264.45).
On the men’s side, the Gamecocks had several strong performances despite the losses. Freshman Alex Vance had a memorable start to his Gamecock career, winning the 200 breaststroke and claiming third in the 100 breaststroke with times of 2:04.29 and 58.15, respectively.
Junior Matt Columbus finished second in the 1,000-yard freestyle with a time of 9:33.34, while sophomore Gerard Rodriguez swam to a second-place finish in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:39.94. Junior Max Heinze finished second in the 100-yard backstroke in a time of 50.76, and junior Brooks Ross claimed second in the 500 freestyle in a time of 4:37.27.
Freshman Cole Miller had the best performance on the boards for the men with a third-place showing in the 3-meter springboard with a score of 332.00.
The Gamecocks return to action on Saturday, Oct. 22 in their home opener against Georgia Tech. The meet is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. at the Blatt P.E. Center/Carolina Natatorium.
