Gamecock Swimming & Diving Sweeps College of Charleston

Nov. 9, 2012

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The South Carolina swimming and diving teams put forth one of their best efforts of season on Friday night as they swept College of Charleston in a dual meet that was held at two venues.

The Gamecock men defeated the Cougars, 178-115, while the Carolina women captured its first win of the season with a 169-126 victory. South Carolina had a dominant night, finishing first in 23 of the 28 events in 25-meter short course at the Stern Center Pool in Charleston, S.C., and sweeping the boards at the Carolina Natatorium.

“Tonight was a good tune-up for our invitational next week,” South Carolina head coach McGee Moody said. “We had some people swim off events and got the opportunity to race and win some events. The freshmen took advantage of the opportunity and did a great job tonight.”

With the win, the 21st-ranked Gamecock men improve to 2-3 on the year, while the women move to 1-4.

Several Gamecocks had multiple wins on the night. Junior Narayan Naik led the way with three first-place finishes. A native of Oklahoma City, Okla., Naik won the 100 backstroke (58.27), 200 backstroke (2:06.98) and the 400 IM (4:37.84).

Senior Brooks Ross, junior Alex Fitton and sophomore Michael Covert added two wins apiece for the Carolina men. Ross claimed the 800 freestyle (8:24.37) and the 400 freestyle (4:07.52). Fitton touched first in the 200 freestyle (1:56.05) and the 100 freestyle (52.51), while Covert won the 200 butterfly (2:08.06) and the 100 butterfly (57.45). Collin Kaden (100 breaststroke, 1:05.70) and Bobby Cave (200 breaststroke, 2:24.45) also had wins for the Gamecocks.

On the women’s side, juniors Abby Galbreath and Rachael Schaffer each had two wins. Galbreath swam to first-place finishes in the 800 freestyle (9:17.07) and 400 freestyle (4:35.61). Schaffer finished first in the 200 butterfly (2:20.53) and the 400 IM (4:56.50). Junior Lauren Raczkowski (200 freestyle, 2:10.01) and freshmen Lauryl Williams (100 breaststroke, 1:15.15), Casey Papp (100 freestyle, 58.78), Alicia Cheripka (200 backstroke, 2:21.33) and Elise Weisert (200 breaststroke, 2:45.46) also recorded wins for South Carolina.

In the relay events, the Gamecocks won three of the four races. The Carolina women won both the 200 medley relay (2:02.97) and the 200 freestyle relay (1:48.81), while the men claimed first in the 200 medley relay (1:46.66).

The diving corps delivered another strong performance on Friday, winning all four boards. All of South Carolina’s scores were NCAA Zone qualifying marks as well. Senior Rylan Ridenour won the men’s one-meter springboard with a score of 389.93, while sophomore Cole Miller (380.18) and junior Andrew Helmich (317.63) finished second and third, respectively. Miller won the three-meter springboard with a mark of 424.05. Ridenour took second with a score of 402.45, and Helmich was third with 344.70 points.

In the women’s events, sophomore Patricia Kranz won both events. She claimed the one-meter board with a total of 344.93 and the three-meter board with a score of 372.38. Senior Chay Malvasio finished second in both events, scoring 344.63 on the three-meter and 312.23 on the one-meter. Freshman Lauren Lamendola also dove on the three-meter and finished third with a total of 311.10.

“We have definitely turned the corner in our training,” South Carolina diving coach Todd Sherritt said. “I just can’t say enough. I thought the whole group did a great job tonight. They really stepped up to the plate and got their NCAA Zone qualifying scores. Patti just continues to climb. She’s going to be good. All of them are.”

The Gamecocks will return to action next week as they travel to Christiansburg, Va., for the three-day Virginia Tech Invitational. The event runs Nov. 15-17 at the Christiansburg Aquatic Center.