Jan. 17, 2009
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina got strong performances across the board as it defeated Vanderbilt in a Southeastern Conference women’s dual meet Saturday at the Carolina Natatorium. The Gamecock women took a 152-117 decision, swimming exhibition over the final five events with the outcome already decided.
“We were better today than we were last weekend at Duke,” head coach McGee Moody said. “But we’re still not where we need to be moving forward to the SEC Championships. We’re getting closer, but we’re not there yet.”
South Carolina improves to 4-3 overall, 1-1 in SEC competition. The Commodores drop to 2-8 overall and 0-4 in the league.
Allison Barr turned in a dominating performance in both the one- and three-meter diving events, setting personal bests in both competitions while earning 18 points for the Gamecocks. She posted a 356.78 in the three-meter contest before turning in an SEC-best 335.93 in the one-meter event. In addition, junior Morgan Ricke posted an NCAA Zone qualifying score in both the one- and three-meter events, which means that all seven Carolina divers (five females, two males) are qualified for post-season competition. Ricke posted career-bests of 315.00 in the three-meter and 288.00 in the one-meter.
Freshman Ali Lane turned in a career-best performance in the one-meter event as well, posting a 299.48 in only her second competition since suffering an injury in the early part of the season.
“We dove really well today,” diving coach Todd Sherritt said. “It was good to get some strong performances from Allison and Ali, and it’s great to have everyone qualified for zones now.”
South Carolina continued to dominate in the swimming portion of the event, even with many athletes not competing in their strongest events.
Amanda Dunnigan had a second straight meet of very solid performances, winning three of the four events she contested. She turned in a first-place time in the 1000 free (10:32.14) and the 200 fly (2:07.17), was part of the winning 200 medley relay team (1:45.74) and finished just behind teammate Christine Thompson in the 200 back (2:09.59).
Sharntelle McLean kept up her high-level performances in the sprints with wins in the 50 free (23.66) and 100 back (59.62) and a top exhibition time in the 100 fly (57.80).
The men will join the women next weekend when the Gamecocks return to action for their final home meet of the season. It will be Senior Day at the Carolina Natatorium as College of Charleston visits for a 2 p.m. dual meet Saturday, Jan. 24. For complete coverage of South Carolina swimming and diving, visit GamecocksOnline.com.
