Gamecocks earn two All-America performances on day two of NCAAs
March 15, 2018
COLUMBUS, Ohio –
University of South Carolina swimming and diving posted its first podium finish of the 2018 NCAA Championships as Julia Vincent came up just shy of an individual title with a second-place finish in the 1-meter dive, capping off the night with a finals score of 333.50 to secure her All-America status.
Emma Barksdale also earned All-America status on the second night of competition, improving on her performance in the prelims with a finals time of 1:55.57 to finish in 11th overall in the 200-yard individual medley.
DAY 1 RECAP
South Carolina opened the competition with a school record, 7:02.86 in the 800-yard freestyle relay in the lone event of the first night.
The Gamecocks’ relay time was highlighted by Emma Barksdale’s 1:45.21 200-yard leadoff leg also set a South Carolina school record.
DAY 2 RECAP
Barksdale qualified for the B final in the 200 IM with a prelims time of 1:55.66 to finish the round in 13th overall. She later improved on her time in the prelims with a 1:55.57 time in the finals to finish the competition in 11th-place overall, earning second team All-America honors in the process.
Vincent qualified for the A final in the 1-meter dive with a prelim score of 320.25 and sat atop the leaderboard following her third and fourth dives of the finals. Her reverse two and one half tuck earned her a score of 61.50 from the judges and she entered her last dive just 3.0 points off the pace. Vincent’s second-place finish is her best career finish at the NCAA Championships.
QUOTABLES
“Improving at this meet is one of the hardest things to do in our sport after a long, grueling season. I believe this is a start to a great week in Columbus, Ohio.”- On the Gamecocks’ night one relay performance
— HEAD SWIMMING COACH McGee Moody –
“Today was a great day for Gamecock diving. Julia finishing second in the country is an incredible feat against the best field of divers that I have ever seen here. She (Vincent) just missed her last dive a little bit and I am so happy with the way she competed all day. She just keeps getting better and is a joy to coach. I am looking forward to see seeing how she will do in tomorrow’s 3-meter where she finished 12th at the World Championships.
Mikaela Lujan had a solid meet as well, putting in her highest ever score here. She (Lujan) will be competing in the tower on Saturday, which is her strongest event.
We need to make a few adjustments for tomorrow and hopefully we will be in the same position.”- On the Gamecocks’ 1-meter dive performances
— HEAD DIVING COACH Todd Sherritt –
UP NEXT FOR CAROLINA
The Gamecocks will continue the NCAA Championships on Friday with student-athletes competing in the 400 IM, the 100-yard breaststroke, and the 3-meter dive. For updates, follow South Carolina Swimming and Diving on twitter at @GamecockSwim.
