Sept. 30, 2005
Auburn, Ala. – The South Carolina men’s and women’s swimming teams were defeated by Auburn on Friday afternoon in the first dual meet of the 2005-06 season. The Tigers defeated Carolina 124-70 on the men’s side and 119-81 on the women’s side. USC sophomore swimmer Christy Williams led the way for the Gamecocks with a pair of first place finishes in the 200 freestyle and 200 butterfly.
“We had some good swims tonight,” said USC head swimming coach Don Gibb. “I thought Williams was excellent and raced real well. Dan White had a good day for the men’s side. One of our freshman, Amanda Dunnigan was pretty good for us in the breaststroke.”
Williams, the only NCAA qualifier for USC last season, picked up where she left off last year first taking the top place in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:51.02. Williams also picked up the best finish in the 200 butterfly at a time of 2:03.32. Williams set the school record last year in that event and won the consolation final at the SEC Championships.
Senior Haley Skaggs finished second in two events for USC. Skaggs went 24.26 in the 50 freestyle and 52.73 in the 100 freestyle to earn two runner-up places.
Sophomore Dan White won the 500 freestyle and was second in the 1000 freestyle with a time of 9:31.25. Senior Reid Duff also competed well and placed third in the 50 freestyle at 21.19. The men’s 200 freestyle relay also won the last event with the fastest time of 1:25.90. The quartet featured in the event was Duff, White, Tamas Bathazi and Christian Robledo.
“For the first conference contest to face the defending SEC champions on both sides, it’s a pretty tough challenge,” said Coach Gibb. “We will see more of the same from Florida in two weeks when they come to Columbia.”
South Carolina’s home contest with the Florida Gators is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 15 at 1 p.m. at the Carolina Natatorium.
