Dec. 5, 2011

ATLANTA, Ga. — Six student-athletes from the South Carolina men’s swimming team competed at the 2011 AT&T Winter National Championships over the weekend.

In all the Gamecocks produced five Olympic Trial qualifying times, including three by junior Michael Flach.

Flach achieved an Olympic Trial cut of 3:55.80 in the 400 freestyle, finishing 13th overall and third in the B-final. He placed 25th overall and fifth in the C-final in the 200 freestyle with a trial cut of 1:51.99. Flach also recorded an Olympic Trial qualifying time of 2:02.01 in the 200 butterfly as he finished 22nd overall and second in the C-final.

Junior Bobby Cave swam a 1:04.19 in the 100 breaststroke to achieve an Olympic Trial cut, while sophomore Gerard Rodriguez recorded an Olympic Trial time of 1:52.73 in the 200 freestyle.

Senior James Crawford competed in the 200 freestyle (1:55.91), 200 backstroke (2:15.00) and 200 IM (2:09.58). Junior Matt Columbus swam the 1,500 freestyle (16:17.32) and 400 freestyle (4:07.33), while senior Ryan Connolly turned in a time of 4:44.38 in the 400 IM.

The student-athletes will now turn their attention to final exams and winter training before returning to action on Jan. 14 at home in a dual meet with Duke. The meet is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at the Blatt P.E. Center/Carolina Natatorium.