Feb 2, 2002

COLUMBIA, S.C. –
Continuing a successful 2001-02 season, the South Carolina men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams knocked off the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Carolina Natatorium on Saturday afternoon. The No. 8 men’s squad defeated Alabama 130-113, and the women’s team upended Alabama 124-119. With the victories, the men’s squad is now 11-2 in dual meets this season and the women’s squad is 11-4.

“We looked a little tired today coming off the Georgia meet, but I still felt we raced well and we’re looking forward to a couple weeks in preparation for the SEC Championships,” said USC Head Swimming Coach Don Gibb. “We’re very proud to send the seniors off with a final home victory.”

On the women’s side, the Gamecocks had several swimmers earn first place finishes in a variety of events. In her final meet at home, senior Sarah Doyle earned two top-place finishes in the 500 free (4:56.79) and 1000 free (10:18.11). Her 500 free time was the best on the season for Doyle. Sophomore Anna Nyiry also won two events for the Gamecocks in the 50 freestyle (23.59) and 200 butterfly (2:04.51). Freshman Heather Skaggs continued her success in the 100 freestyle, winning the event with a time of 51.51. Also earning first place, was junior Kristen Butler in the 200 backstroke (2:03.56). The Gamecocks took first place in the 400 freestyle relay with a time of 3:28.29 (Nyiry, Skaggs, McHugh, Butler). In diving, sophomore Holly Hodges finished second in both the one-meter (292.58) and three-meter competitions (499.28).

For the No. 8 men’s squad, sophomore Istvan Bathazi was the star of the day, winning all three events he entered in for the meet. Bathazi won the 1000 freestyle (9:26.19), 200 IM (1:49.95) and 200 breaststroke (2:04.41). Sophomore Tamas Szucs also came up strong for the Gamecocks winning two events. Szucs had a season and team-best time of 1:37.28 in the 200 freestyle and also won the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:30.43. In their final home meets, seniors Zsolt Gaspar and Javier Botello didn’t disappoint, each winning an event for the Gamecocks. Gaspar won the 50 freestyle with a time of 19.95 and Botello took the 100 freestyle with a season-best time of 45.68. Junior Lir Derieg also won the 200 backstroke finishing with his best time of the season at 1:49.90. The Gamecocks won the 400 freestyle relay with a time of 2:59.70 (Szucs, McCrary, Botello, Gaspar). Senior diver Brandon Hulko finished his home meet career winning the three-meter board (578.40) and placing second on the one-meter board (292.88).

The South Carolina women’s squad will be in action next Saturday at Florida St.