Burras Takes Third, Gamecocks Shine on Day 2
AUBURN, Ala.—South Carolina swimming and diving shined on Day two of the 2020 SEC Championship meet. The Gamecocks broke three school records, including the longstanding men’s 50 freestyle record.
The morning prelims saw the Gamecocks quite literally, get off to a fast start. After the 500 free, the Gamecocks saw both senior Albury Higgs and sophomore Hallie Kinsey swim sub-two minute 200 IMs, to make the C-final.
In the 50 free, the Gamecocks truly flexed their muscle, having the most men’s swimmers under 20 seconds at the meet. Senior Christina Lappin broke through for the women, advancing to the B-final, swimming a 22.26, just .03 off her school-record time.
For the men, junior AJ Ross swam a 19.48, giving him the fastest prelim time for the B-final, while sophomore Lewis Burras shattered a 20-year-old school record in the 50 free, swimming a 19.45 to send him to the A-final. The Preston, England, native took down the record set by Gamecock legend Zsolt Gaspar back in 2000, when he was named SEC Swimmer of the Year.
Sophomore Anton Down-Jenkins qualified for the 1-meter board final with a score of 355.95. In the finals he finished fifth.
At night, the Gamecocks; strong performances kicked off in both the 200 free relays. Both teams broke program records, with the team of Lappin, sophomore Emma Walker, freshman Janie Smith and junior Danielle Doennebrink swimming a 1:28.44 to break the previous record by two seconds. The men’s team of Burras, Ross, freshman Guy Gropper and sophomore Dylan Delaney swam a 1:17.20 to set the new record.
In the 50 freestyle, Burras reset his 50 free record, swimming a 19.17, to capture the third in the event. Burras made up ground in the second 25 yards, overtaking three swimmers to podium for the Gamecocks.
Gamecock Notables
- Burras broke the 50-freestyle record three times, first in the prelims, then the 200 free relay, and lastly in the finals.
- AJ Ross was the number two performer in the 50 free.
Top Gamecock Finishes:
| NAME | EVENT | TIME/SCORE | PLACE |
| Lappin, Waker, Smith Doennebrink | 200 Free Relay (W) | 1:28.44* | 8th |
| Burras, Ross, Gropper, Delaney | 200 Free Relay (M) | 1:17.20* | 4th |
| Haley Arner | 500 Free (W) | 4:52.62 | 37th |
| Tamas Novoszath | 500 Free (M) | 4:23.29 | 27th |
| Albury Higgs | 200 IM (W) | 1:58.18 | 19th |
| Chase Allison | 200 IM (M) | 1:50.82 | 45th |
| Christina Lappin | 50 Free (W) | 22.29 | 13 |
| Lewis Burras | 50 Free (M) | 19.17* | 3rd |
| Anton Down Jenkins | One-Meter (M) | 359.10 | 9th |
*Denotes Program Record
QUOATABLE HEAD COACH MCGEE MOODY
“Tonight, was a good night, I was really excited about where we were. We had three school records broken tonight, including Lewis Burras breaking a 20-year-old record held by Zsolt Gaspar. He qualified eight and ended up finishing third. Anton was outstanding on the boards, getting inside that top-eight is always difficult so I’m really proud of all of our guys and girls and we’re going to carry this into tomorrow.”
QUOATBLE HEAD DIVING COACH TODD SHERRIT
“Prelims went great, Anton came back strong, it’s really important to be able to recover, so I thought he did a great job. Alex has had a phenomenal meet. Overall it was good and we the girls tomorrow so I’m looking forward to that.”
Up Next for the Gamecocks
The Gamecocks will be back in the pool Thursday to swim the 400 IM, 100 Butterfly and 200 free as well as take on the women’s 3-meter dive finals. Prelims will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the finals taking place at 5:30 p.m.
For more swimming updates, follow South Carolina Swimming and Diving on Twitter at @GamecockSwim.
###
