Nov. 26, 2013
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Following an outstanding three days at the Virginia Tech Invitational in which the men’s swimming & diving team racked up 11 NCAA B cut times, the squad jumped to No. 17 in the latest Endless Pools Top 25.
“The men have put themselves in a position to do some great things at the end of the year,” head swimming & diving coach McGee Moody said. “They have to stay focused on the process and keep working hard. They have to continue to work hard to achieve the goals they have set for our program.”
Redshirt freshman Kevin Leithold turned in the top performance as he posted five B cut times (100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 100 breastroke, 100 butterfly, 200 IM). All of his marks rank in the top 30 of their event, including two that are in the top 10. His time of 53.57 in the 100 breaststroke, which he posted in the prelims, sits as the fourth-fastest time in the nation and broke the school’s seven-year-old record in the event.
Redshirt senior Michael Flach posted three B cut times (200 freestyle, 500 freestyle, 200 butterfly), with all three ranking in the Top 40 nationally. His time of 4:21.38 in the 500 free was his top ranked time coming in at 17th.
Seniors Gerard Rodriguez and Jay Warner rounded out the B cuts as Rodriguez posted two (200 freestyle, 500 freestyle) and Warner (100 backstoke) recorded one. Rodriguez’s time of 4:23.92 in the 500 free and Warner’s time of 47.92 in the 100 back are both currently ranked 29th nationally.
The Gamecocks will continue their season on Jan. 11 as they host Duke at the Carolina Natatorium. The meet is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., ET.
