Jan. 16, 2002

COLUMBIA, S.C. –
The South Carolina men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams return to action for the first time in December this weekend. The Gamecocks will compete in a Friday evening dual meet at Cincinnati at 5 p.m. South Carolina will then travel to Lexington, Ky. to face Kentucky on Saturday on Jan. 19 at 1 p.m. The Gamecock women will also compete against Arkansas in Lexington.

“I think the time we had off during the holiday season was good and our training camp over break was intense,” said USC head swimming coach Don Gibb. “We have been training long-course more lately and it will definitely help us. I don’t know much about Cincinnati but they certainly had a presence at the NCAA Championships last year and this will be an interesting barometer to figure out where we are.”

Friday’s meet at Cincinnati will also be a homecoming of sorts for Head Diving Coach Todd Sherritt and freshman swimmer Carolynn McHugh. Coach Sherritt is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio and dove for the University of Cincinnati from 1979-82. Coach Sherritt earned his degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1982. Freshman swimmer Carolynn McHugh attended Oak Hills H.S. in Cincinnati was the Ohio State 50 freestyle champion last year. McHugh currently holds the second fastest time for USC in the 100 free with a time of 52.77. McHugh has competed in the 50 and 100 freestyle events, as well as the freestyle relays.

The Gamecocks men’s squad is currently ranked No. 9 in CSCAA poll. The Gamecocks return home to the Carolina Natatorium on Jan. 26 with an 11 a.m. dual meet vs. Virginia.