Dec. 14, 2003

Columbia, S.C. – The final day of the Carolina Classic featured several first place finishers for the Gamecocks’ men’s and women’s swimming teams, including senior Ed Murphy, who won both the finals of the 50 meter and 100 meter freestyle. Murphy won the 50 freestyle with a time of 24.13 and took the top honors in the 100 with a time of 52.63.

Also earning first place on the men’s squad was sophomore Justin Kata in the 100 breaststroke. Kata finished first with a time of 1:08.48. Sophomore Reid Duff finished in second right behind Murphy in both the 50 freestyle (24.46) and 100 freestyle (53.21). Freshman Matt Burkhard also swam in the finals of the 50 freestyle (fourth; 25.18) and 100 freestyle (fifth; 55.35). Adam Bastak was fifth in the 50 freestyle (25.26), Jim Lillard was sixth in the 200 butterfly (2:19.32), Mike Farrington fourth in the 1500 freestyle (16:37.44) and Tim Farrington fifth in the 1500 free (16:45.01).

The women’s team featured two top place finishers. Senior Bronwyn Dedekind went 2:21.96 to win the 200 meter butterfly. Right behind her in second place was freshman Meredith Ruka (2:22.44), fourth place Amy Hartland (2:27.95) and sixth place Meagan Johnson (2:33.64). Junior Carolynn McHugh won the 50 freestyle with a time of 26.58 with senior Ashleigh Bastak taking third (27.11) and freshman Aunya Nance in sixth place (28.21). The 100 freestyle features senior Jennifer VanAssen who finished second (58.19), junior Heather Skaggs who placed fourth (1:00.62) and McHugh who placed sixth (1:01.72). The 800 freestyle featured a second place finish from Ruka (9:17.07) and the 100 breaststroke featured Nance (second; 1:17.66) and freshman Kendel Fiorentino (1:19.77).

South Carolina swimming and diving returns to dual meet action on January 10 at Kentucky. The Gamecock women’s squad will next host Miami (Fla.) on January 24.