Gamecocks Wrap Up Phillips 66 U.S. Nationals
Seven total South Carolina swimmers competed during the five-day meet in California.
IRVINE, Calif. South Carolina rising senior swimmer, Emma Barksdale, went out with a bang by finishing eighth (2:13.62) in the championship final of the women’s 200 IM on Sunday, the final day of the Phillps 66 U.S. National Championships at the William Woollett Aquatics Center. Seven total Gamecocks competed in the five-day meet as incoming freshman Hallie Kinsey led the group by qualifying for three consolation finals during the meet.
“I am very proud of the way our student-athletes raced in Irvine (Calif.) this week,” said head coach McGee Moody. “It is a testament to their hard work and dedication throughout the year. They continue to make
us proud every day,” Moody explained.
DAY 1 RECAP
Four total Gamecocks competed on the first day of competition with Caleb Tosh (2:05.70, 67th) and Will Riggs (2:00.24, 33rd) leading things off in the men’s 200m butterfly prelims. Cody Bekemeyerwent 15.33.36 (17th) in the 1500m free while Kinsey swam a 2:13.36 (27th) in the women’s 200m butterfly to qualify for the C-final. Kinsey capped off day one with a 2:13.50 in the evening session to finish fifth in her heat.
DAY 2 RECAP
Kinsey shined again on the second day for South Carolina with a 27.72 in prelims of the 50m butterfly to qualify for the evening’s D-final. She later went 27.63 to finish third in her consolation heat.
DAY 3 RECAP
Kinsey qualified for her third evening session of the week with a 59.70 in prelims of the 100m butterfly followed up by a 59.57 and a fourth-place finish in the C-final.
Barksdale had a successful third day of competition as well with a 4:43.35 in the 400 IM during the morning session. She then capped the day with a lifetime best 4:40.20 to top the B-final of the 400 IM.
DAY 4 RECAP
Bekemeyer was the lone Gamecock to compete on Saturday, finishing with a 3:55.14 (37th) in the 400m freestyle.
DAY 5 RECAP
Bekemeyer wrapped up his week on Sunday with a 8:02.17 (15th) in the men’s 800m freestyle while Christina Lappin went 25.92 to finish 34th in the women’s 50m free.
Barksdale highlighted the final day of competition with a 2:13.35 in the women’s 200 IM to qualify for the evening’s championship final. She capped her stellar week with a 2:13.62 in the A-final, finishing in eighth-place.
QUOTABLE
“This competition requires every athlete to be at their best and our swimmers didn’t disappoint. The meet was highlighted by Emma Barksdale’s lifetime best and top-eight finish in the 200 IM on the last night of competition. This summer has set up our athletes for another record setting year for South Carolina!”
— HEAD SWIMMING COACH MCGEE MOODY-
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