Oct. 1, 2015
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina swimming and diving team opens its 2015-16 season on the road the FGCU Classic in Ft. Myers, Fla. The meet runs Friday through Saturday at the FGCU Aquatics Center. Friday’s events begin at 5:30 p.m. while Saturday’s action is slated for 10 a.m.
In addition to FGCU (women), the Gamecocks will also compete against Ohio State (women), FAU (women), Rutgers (women), Buffalo (men/women) and Grand Canyon (men/women).
World Traveleres
This summer four Gamecocks competed internationally, representing their native countries. Akram Mahmoud and Marwan El Kamash both swam at the FINA World Champions in Kazan, Russia and the African Games in Brazzaville, Congo as part of the Egyptian National Team. Mahmoud finished fourth in the 1500-meter freestyle at World Championships and currently ranks in the world. Tomas Peribonio competed at the Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada and the FINA World Championships on behalf of Ecuador. Peribonio set a pair of Ecuadorian national records and finished seventh overall in the 400-meter IM. Diver Julia Vincent became a three-time South African National Champion, winning the 1-meter, 3-meter and synchronized diving titles at the South African Nationals.
A Look Back At The 2014-15 Season
The Gamecock men finished 19th at the NCAA Championships, the highest finish since the 2000 squad placed 18th. The 800 freestyle relay earned All-America honors for the third-straight year as the team of Marwan El Kamash, Kevin Leithold, Akram Mahmoud and Tomas Peribonio posted an 11th place finish. Mahmoud and Peribonio also earned All-America honors in the 1,650 freestyle, finishing 6th and 13th, respectively. Nils Wich-Glasen became the first men’s breaststroker All-American in program history as he claimed seventh place in the 200 breaststroke. Cole Miller advanced to finals and earned All-America honors in the 1-meter, 3-meter and platform diving events. South Carolina sent three women to the 2015 NCAA Championships in Meredith Vay and divers Patricia Kranz and Julia Vincent.
The men’s squad finished seventh at the SEC Championships while the women place 11th. The Gamecocks brought home four medals as Wich-Glasen claimed second in the 200 breaststroke, Vay took third in the 200 freestyle and Lauren Lameondola and Kranz placed third on the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard, respectively.
South Carolina’s men finished the regular season with a 6-4 record and the women posted a 9-4 record. The women’s nine wins are the most since 2002.
Sweet Sixteen
The Gamecocks broke a combined 16 school records last season.
Guess Who’s Back
The Gamecocks return a combined 42 swimmers and dives including six of their eight NCAA qualifiers from last season.
New Kids On The Block
South Carolina added 23 newcomers to the roster this season.
Gone But Not Forgotten
The Gamecocks lost a combined 15 swimmers and divers from last year’s roster.
South Carolina loses three-time All-American diver Cole Miller this season. Miller earned All-America honors on the 1-meter, 3-meter and platform at the 2015 NCAA Championships to help propel the Gamecocks to a 19th place finish.
On the women’s side the Gamecocks said goodbye to school record-holder (200 backstroke) and one their most versatile swimmers in Victoria Mitchell.
Up Next
The Gamecock men open South Carolina’s home slate when they host Purdue on Sat., Oct. 24. The meet is slated to begin at noon at the Blatt P.E. Center/Carolina Natatorium.
