Oct. 28, 2011
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina men and women’s diving teams had dominant performances on Friday night in their final meet against rival Clemson at the Blatt P.E. Center/Carolina Natatorium.
The Gamecock men claimed the top three spots on the three-meter springboard and three of the top four places on the one-meter springboard. On the women’s boards, the Gamecocks grabbed the top three places on the three-meter springboard and three of the top four spots on the one-meter springboard. The Carolina men head into Saturday’s swimming portion of the meet leading 31-7, while the Gamecock women have a 30-8 advantage over the Tigers.
South Carolina head diving coach Todd Sherritt was please with his team’s performance against the Tigers, who are phasing out their swimming and diving program at the end of the season.
“The team performed flawlessly tonight,” Sherritt said. “I am very pleased with where my team is at. We are a very physical acrobatic team, and everyone has made their NCAA Zone qualification score. I think this is one of the strongest finishes we have had against Clemson. We almost completely shut them out. It’s going to be a great year.”
Senior Courtney Forcucci won both the one and three-meter events with scores of 322.13 and 344.55. Freshman Patricia Kranz finished second on the three-meter board and third on the one-meter springboard with career-high scores of 334.35 and 287.40, both Zone qualifying scores. Freshman Kasey Catalfomo also achieved career-high and Zone qualifying scores with a 269.3 on the one-meter board and a 299.40 on the three-meter board.
Reigning SEC Male Diver of the Week Rylan Ridenour swept the men’s boards as he won the one-meter event with a score of 350.62 and the three-meter springboard with a score of 366.22. Freshman Cole Miller finished second in both the one and three-meter events with scores of 323.47 and 341.25, respectively. Sophomore Andrew Helmich placed third on the three-meter board and fourth on the one-meter springboard with scores of 311.03 and 267.97.
The Gamecocks will wrap up their meet against Clemson on Saturday with the swimming events beginning at 12 p.m. in Greenville, S.C.
