Jan. 18, 2002

CINCINNATI –
The South Carolina men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams continued their success in dual meet action with both squads defeating the University of Cincinnati. The No. 9 men’s squad (8-1) defeated Cincinnati 138-105 and the women’s’ squad was victorious 141-96 (8-2).

“I thought we were a little sluggish to start but as the meet went on we started to swim better and faster,” said USC Head Swimming Coach Don Gibb. “Tomorrow will be a tougher test with Kentucky and the Arkansas women’s team. Our divers did an excellent job and we had some good performances from Chris McCrary on the men’s side and Kristen Butler on the women’s side. Kristen won three events, which is a first for her. We look forward to tomorrow’s meet against conference opponents.”

On the women’s side, junior Kristen Butler had her best performance in dual meet action as a Gamecock with three wins on the meet, two individual events and one relay. Butler won the 200 IM (2:08.64) along with the 100 backstroke (59.38). Butler was on the winning 200 medley relay. Also winning events for the Gamecocks was senior Sarah Doyle (1000 free, 10:19.87), sophomore Anna Nyiry (100 butterfly, 55.88), and freshman Heather Skaggs (100 free, 52.61). Also winning both the one-meter and three-meter diving competitions was sophomore Holly Hodges. Hodges won the one-meter with a new season-high 309.37 points, and the three-meter with a score of 312.30. On the one-meter board, the Gamecocks finished 1-2-3. Hodges placed first, freshman Tracey Richardson second (287.85) and freshman Allison Brennan took third (285.37).

For the No. 9 men’s squad, senior Zsolt Gaspar, and sophomore Istvan Bathazi each won two individual events to help pace the men’s squad to victory. Gaspar won the 50 free (20.69) and 100 free (46.13) and Bathazi had victories in the 200 IM (1:55.19) and 100 breaststroke (59.09). Also winning events was sophomore Tamas Szucs, who won the 200 free (1:41.90), and sophomore Lir Derieg in the 100 backstroke (52.01). The Gamecocks also finished with its top time of the season in the 200 freestyle relay with a time of 1:22.81. Members of the first place relay team were Gaspar, senior Javier Botello and sophomores Chris McCrary and Ed Murphy.

The Gamecocks continue on the road to Lexington, Ky. for a Noon meet with Kentucky and the Arkansas women’s squad. Carolina is back at home on Jan. 26 with an 11 a.m. meet vs. Virginia.