Oct. 11, 2003
Charleston, S.C. – .
The University of South Carolina men and women’s swimming and diving teams swept the opening meet in Charleston on Friday afternoon at the Stern Center Pool. The women’s swimming and diving team improved to 1-0 by defeating the Cougars 124-99 while the men opened up the season with a 117-92 victory.
The Gamecocks dominated the evening in almost every event held at the competition facility. USC’s women’s swimming team was led by Carolynn McHugh who finished first in the 200 meter IM and the 100 meter freestyle. Other top place finishers for Carolina were Kaelon May (800 freestyle), Heather Skaggs (200 freestyle), Ashleigh Bastak (50 freestyle), Meredith Ruka (200 butterfly) and Bronwyn Dedekind (200 backstroke). Swimming exhibition for the remainder of the event, Carolina came away with top times from May in the 400 freestyle, and Kendel Fiorentino in the 200 breaststroke.
For the women’s diving team, all three divers who competed secured a NCAA automatic qualifying score for the NCAA Zones Competition. Lauren King led the way on the one meter diving springboard (319.5) while Holly Hodges (313.43), and Lyndsey Havens (295.50) finished second and third.
On the men’s side, Carolina had several swimmers having success on the opening day of the season and being competitive in every event as the men’s team posted first place finishes in six individual swimming events. Tamas Szucs finished in first place in the 200 freestyle and secured the top time in the 400 freestyle as well. Other first place finishers for Carolina included Tim Farrington (800 freestyle), Ed Murphy (50 freestyle), Istvan Bathazi (200 IM), Tamas Bathazi (200 butterfly) and Reid Duff (100 freestyle). Swimming exhibition for the remainder of the event, Carolina came away with top times from Lir Derieg (200 backstroke) and Istvan Bathazi (200 breaststroke).
The men’s divers continued their strong success from the 2003 season with Carolina divers taking the top three positions in the male one meter diving competition. All three men’s divers also qualified for the NCAA Zones Competition. Andy Bradley (414.90) took first place while Dean Emmerton (342.45) placed second and Ian Balman (310.13) finished in third.
South Carolina will next travel to Clemson on Friday, October 17 to face the Tigers at the McHugh Natatorium at 5pm.
