Oct. 12, 2001

GAINESVILLE, Fla. –
The South Carolina men’s and women’s diving teams competed for the first time this season at the SEC East Challenge in Gainesville, Fla. Senior Brandon Hulko and sophomore Holly Hodges each earned fourth place finishes in the one-meter and three-meter boards respectively.

“Overall we did ok and I think our divers did a good job of meeting their training objectives,” said USC Head Diving Coach Todd Sherritt. “It is early in the season and still to early to judge where we can be at the end of the season.”

Hulko finished the one-meter competition with a score of 282.25, less then a point behind Kris Daugherty and Sal Villardo for second-place at 282.50. Hodges scored a 254.90 in the three-meter competition to also garner a fourth place finish.

“Brandon was in position to win the whole thing but he missed on one dive that he will usually hit,” said Coach Sherritt. “Holly started off slow but got back and had a couple nice dives near the end.”

Also competing for the Gamecocks was senior Brad Brown and freshmen Tamra Baker, Allison Brennan, Dean Emmerton and Tracey Richardson. Richardson finished just behind Hodges in fifth place and Brennan earned an eighth place finish. Emmerton and Brown earned eight and ninth place finishes for USC on the men’s one-meter competiion.

“I was very happy with the way our freshmen competed,” said Coach Sherritt. “I think Allison and Tracey both did a great job in their first event. Dean was steady throughout the meet and he also did a great job. This was Tamra’s first competition ever, and she’s continuing to improve and work hard.”

Diving will continue Friday morning at 11 a.m. with the women’s one-meter board and the men’s three-meter board competitions. South Carolina swimming and diving teams will compete in their first dual meet tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. as the Gamecocks face Tennessee.