Nov. 22, 2010

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina sophomore Michael Flach from the men’s swimming team has been named AgSouth Athlete of the Week.

Flach had one of the best weeks of his career as he posted NCAA `B’ cuts in all three of his individual events and helped two relay teams to B-cut times as well. He started the week with a victory in the 500 freestyle, swimming a 4:21.68 in finals to win by more than a full second. His time of 4:20.03 in prelims, however, was the fastest time in the nation at that point.

Flach, a native of Annandale, Va., then came back in the 200 freestyle and earned another victory, setting a personal record and posting the second-fastest time in school history with a 1:35.53 , setting the Nike Cup meet record in winning by more than a second and a half. His third individual event also saw him post an NCAA `B’ cut with a 1:45.36, finishing a close second in the race with the third-fastest time in South Carolina history.

Flach also helped two relay teams to NCAA `B’ cuts as the 800 FR team took top honors with a 6:34.09; his leadoff leg of 1:36.33 would have been a PR in the 200 free if not for his earlier winning swim. In the 400 FR, Flach’s leadoff leg of 45.00 (the fastest 100 free time by a Gamecock this year) led Carolina to a second-place finish in 3:00.69.