Gamecock Swimmers Compete in World University Games

Aug. 28, 2017

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Three Gamecock swimmers earned top-25 finishes at the World University Games in Taipei last week. Representing three different countries, Itay Goldfaden, Fynn Minuth and Albury Higgs each competed in at least three events at the competition, and Gamecock swimming coach Kevin Swander took part as one of Israel’s team coaches.

Minuth had a strong showing at the World University Games, qualifying for the finals of the 200-meter butterfly and the 200-meter free. Swimming for Germany, the Gamecock sophomore placed 11th in the 200-meter butterfly with a time of 1:58.21, 14th in the 200-meter free with a time of 1:50.12 and 46th in the 100-meter butterfly with a time of 55.36.

Goldfaden competed in two individual events as well as his country’s 4×100-meter medley relay. The Bat Hefer, Israel, native placed 24th in the 50-meter breaststroke with a time of 28.54, 31st in the 100-meter breaststroke with a time of 1:02.66 and helped his relay team to a 15th-place finish in the 4×100-meter medley.

The women’s swimming team’s only representation at the World University Games, Higgs competed for the Bahamas in four events, placing in the top 25 in three. The Gamecock freshman finished 21st in the 200-meter breaststroke with a time of 2:34.91, 24th in the 200-meter IM with a time of 2:21.97, 24th in the 50-meter breaststroke with a time of 33.57 and 29th in the 100-meter breaststroke with a time of 1:13.13.

As a swimming coach for Israel, Gamecock assistant coach Kevin Swander helped the team to 16 top-25 finishes, including Marcus Schelsinger’s appearance in the 50-meter butterfly finals and seventh-place finish.

All of South Carolina swimming’s international competitors will be back in Columbia to begin preparing for the upcoming season, which begins Oct. 14 in Columbia, Mo., against SEC opponents Missouri and Arkansas (women only).