Oct. 27, 2006
Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina men’s swimming and diving team claimed the sole Gamecock victory in a home tri-meet against the University of Tennessee and the University of Kentucky.
Scores were close throughout the match, but neither Gamecock team was able to overcome Tennessee. The Gamecock men fell to the Volunteers 128 to 111, while the women finished 141 to 98. The South Carolina women also fell short of a victory over the Kentucky Wildcats, with a final score of 131 to 108. However, the Gamecock men were able to slip past Kentucky, winning 123 to 116. The victory marked South Carolina’s first over a ranked team in several seasons. Tennessee and Kentucky’s teams were ranked in the top 25 entering the meet. The Tennessee men were ranked no. 15 and their women were ranked no. 14. Kentucky’s men’s and women’s teams were ranked no. 23 and no. 18, respectively.
Carolina head coach Don Gibb was satisfied with the performance of his teams, despite the lack of victories.
“We were a lot more competitive than we were in the last couple meets. It really came down to right at the end. It’s encouraging that we have improved,” said coach Gibb. “We are looking forward to competing against that other team in South Carolina next week.”
South Carolina had a strong start, winning three of the first four events; however, late in the meet the Gamecocks had to contend with some changes in the line-up and had a little trouble keeping up with their competitors. Overall, the Gamecocks won nine events, including four women’s events and five men’s events. South Carolina swept the 1000 freestyle, the 200 IM, and the three-meter diving.
Junior freestyler Dan White recorded wins in both the 1000 free and the 500 free. Junior Leopoldo Andara and freshman Dominique Lendjel also had a good meet for the men. Andara won the 200 fly and finished third in the 200 IM. Lendjel won the 200 IM and finished third in the 200 backstroke. On the women’s side Heather Roffey won the 1000 free and Amanda Dunnigan won the 200 IM. David Ovelson and Lyndsey Havens won the men’s and women’s three-meter diving events.
The Gamecocks will next face Clemson University on Friday, November 3 at 5 p.m. The first 50 fans will receive free pizza, and there will also be a drawing for a pair of tickets to the South Carolina versus Arkansas homecoming football game.
