Feb. 7, 2007

Lexington, Ky. – Both South Carolina swimming squads broke the school records in the 200 medley relay on the first night of competition at the SEC Championships in Lexington, Ky.

Competition got underway at 6:00p.m., with the women swimming the 200 medley relay. The team of Carly Hensel, Lindsey Tiberio, Christy Williams and Sharntelle McLean finished seventh with a time of 1:41.75. Their time broke the previous school record of 1:42.16, which was set in December at the Ohio State Invitational. The men’s team of Dominique Lendjel, Kurt Muller, Colby Mack and Christian Robledo finished sixth with a time of 1:29.24. Their time broke an 18-year school record of 1:29.81. Auburn won both 200 medley relays. Their women’s team had a time of 1:38.97 and their men’s team had a time of 1:24.63.

The Gamecock men just missed medaling in the second event of the evening, the 800 free relay. The team of Dominique Lendjel, Dan White, Colby Mack and Kyle Cormier finished fourth with a time of 6:30.38. The Gamecock women’s 800-free relay team of Christy Williams, Amanda Dunnigan, Kassy Kugler and Carly Hensel were disqualified for a false start. Florida won the 800 free relay on the men’s side with a time of 6:22.31. Auburn won on the women’s side with a score of 7:04.12.

“We started off real well with two school records in both the guys and girls 200 medley relays. Then we struggled a little bit in the 800 free relays, but we’ll get better as the meet goes on,” Head Coach Don Gibb said. “We’re a little disappointed about that disqualification, but that’s part of the game.”

At the end of day one the Gamecock men are in sixth with 89 points. Auburn leads on the men’s side with 251 points and Georgia and Florida are in second and third with 144 and 110 points, respectively. The South Carolina women are in ninth with 52 points. Auburn also leads on the women’s side, with 164 points. Kentucky is in second with 159 and Louisiana State is in third with 155.50 points.