Feb. 1, 2008

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams will host SEC foes Alabama and nationally ranked Georgia in their final regular-season meet of the season, which will also serve as senior day for the Gamecocks. The meet is scheduled for Saturday at the Carolina Natatorium beginning at 12 p.m. Georgia’s men enter the weekend ranked No. 12 in the nation, while the Bulldog women are currently ranked atop the standings at No. 1 according to Collegeswimmingonline.com. Alabama and South Carolina are not ranked.

Carolina’s seniors include: Michael Burke, Mandee Cregar, Kelly Giese, Carly Hensel, Diana Lopez, Heather Roffey, Jessica VanAssen and Christy Williams.

Last week, South Carolina’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams both fell to nationally ranked Florida State. The Seminole men defeated USC, 169-131, while the FSU women defeated Carolina 171.5-128.5. Sophomore Dominique Lendjel paced the Gamecock men with three event titles, while Williams and freshman Claire Thompson led the Carolina women, each winning three events in the meet. On the boards, junior David Ovelson and freshman Taryn Zack swept their respective one- and three-meter diving events.

Ovelson captured his first SEC Diver of the Week award for his efforts against the Seminoles. He swept the one- and three- meter events, defeating the defending national champion on the one-meter board.

Williams also had a strong performance for USC. She swept the butterfly events, finishing first in the 100- (55.80) and 200-yard butterfly (2:01.08), while she also captured the top spot in the 200 IM in a time of 2:05.29.

Following Saturday’s competition, Carolina will continue preparations for the SEC Swimming and Diving Championship, hosted by the University of Alabama. The diving competition will take place on Feb. 15-17, while the swimming portion of the event will be held on Feb. 20-23.