May 15, 2011

By Wes Todd
Assistant Media Relations Director

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – South Carolina rising sophomore Rachael Schaffer turned in her second championship finals performance of the week, and Matt Navata outswam the world record-holder in the 200-meter individual medley to wrap up the final day at the 2011 Charlotte UltraSwim.

Schaffer, a native of Baltimore, Md., finished fourth in the 200 IM with a time of 2:18.76, shaving nearly two seconds off her preliminary time of 2:20.64. She finished only behind two-time Olympian Katinka Hosszu (2:12.29), Stina Gardell (2:14.42) and 2008 U.S. Olympian Elaine Breeden (2:14.80). It was another Olympic Trials qualifying time and barely missed a provisional qualifier for the World Championships. Schaffer is the short-course yards record-holder for South Carolina in the 200 IM and finished 5th at the SEC Championships in the event.

Navata, a rising sophomore from West Orange, N.J., finished 10th in the men’s 200 IM with a time of 2:06.40, another Olympic Trials qualifying mark. But his most eye-catching performance came in prelims when he swam a 2:07.71 to qualify 10th, one spot ahead of six-time Olympic medalist and current world record-holder Ryan Lochte. The week was a breakout performance for Navata, who redshirted his first year with the Gamecocks and looks to make a big impact for Carolina this fall.

Two other Gamecock women competed on the day. Abby Galbreath (2:25.76) and Amanda Rutqvist (2:30.21) both swam the 200 IM prelims, and Galbreath competed in the 200-meter backstroke, turning in a time of 2:29.35.

For the men, rising junior Michael Flach posted a 30th-place finish in 200 IM prelims with a 2:10.82, then came back in the 100 freestyle to swim a 52.81 to take 40th overall. Dan Jackson competed in the 1500-meter freestyle, clocking a 17:43.95.