Dec. 4, 2002

Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina swimming and diving teams return to action this week as the Gamecocks compete in the Auburn Invitational. The meet begins on Thursday, Dec. 5 and concludes on Saturday, Dec. 7. The women enter this week’s competition ranked 22nd by the CSCAA (College Swimming Coaches Association of America).

“Our team has worked hard and I think is ready to compete against some of the top teams in the nation,” said USC swimming coach Don Gibb. “There are a lot of reasons why this meet is appealing. With Auburn hosting the SEC and NCAA Women’s Championship it should help our team become more familiar with. It also gives us the opportunity to compete at a high level against top-caliber athletes in the nation.”

On the women’s side, also competing in the event is defending champion No. 1 Auburn, No. 9 California and No. 11 Virginia. In the men’s competition, No. 4 Auburn and No. 10 Virginia will compete vs. the Gamecocks.

This meet represents the final competition for 2002 with South Carolina next competing at home on January 11 vs. Penn State and Tennessee at the Carolina Natatorium.