Lappin Breaks Record, Gamecocks Stay Strong on Day Three
AUBURN, Ala.—South Carolina swimming and diving continued to break program records on the third day of the 2020 SEC Championships. Senior Christina Lappin broke her own 100 butterfly record, originally set earlier this season.
The morning prelims saw another productive session for the Gamecocks. Lappin made the A-final of the 100 butterfly, while Hallie Kinsey made the B-final for the women. On the men’s side, senior Justin Rose and freshman Guy Gropper both made the C-final. Lappin continued her impressive senior campaign, breaking the program’s 100 butterfly record for the second time this season with a time of 52.27.
In the 200 free, senior Emily Cornell turned out a 1:46.75 to make the C-final. The men’s 200 free saw a career best out of Phil Costin, going 1:34.40 to place as the sixth seed him in the A-finals. Costin’s swim is the third fastest in Gamecock history.
At night, the Gamecocks saw multiple swimmers break personal records. In the 100 fly, Hallie Kinsey’s second place finish in the B-final broke her PR with a time of 52.51, putting her second behind Lappin. In the guys’ 100 fly, both Rose and Gropper set new personal records with times of 47.29 and 47.47, respectively.
The 200 freestyle saw Emily Cornell take home the win in the C-final, swimming a new personal best 1:45.20. For the men, Costin’s time of 1:34.72 in the A-final took eighth.
Gamecock Notables
- Lappin continued her impressive senior campaign, breaking the program’s 100 butterfly record for the second time this season with a time of 52.27.
- Emily Cornell took home the first win for the Gamecocks, winning the C-Final of the 200 Free.
Top Gamecock Finishes:
| NAME | EVENT | TIME/SCORE | PLACE |
| Ellie Masterson | 400 IM (W) | 4:21.69 | 34th |
| Chase Allison | 400 IM (M) | 3:54.73 | 34th |
| Christina Lappin | 100 Fly (W) | 52.27* | 8th (prelim) |
| Justin Rose | 100 Fly (M) | 47.29 | 22nd |
| Emily Cornell | 200 Free (W) | 1:45.20 | 1st (C-Final) |
| Phil Costin | 200 Free (M) | 1:34.72 | 8th (A-Final) |
| Mathilda Roxne | Three-Meter (W) | 303.70 | 15th |
*Denotes Program Record
QUOTABLE HEAD COACH MCGEE MOODY
“I thought it was awesome. Phil Costin had a great swim; he dropped a huge amount of time to get himself into the 200 Free A-final. We’re excited to see what he can do in the 100. Christina Lappin had a great 100 butterfly; she said she felt really smooth and she had a great swim. Hallie Kinsey had a great 100 butterfly, and Emily Cornell was awesome in the 200 Free. Tomorrow is a very strong day for us, so I think we’ll be able to carry over this momentum. The meet is starting to run long, this is where everyone starts to get tired, so we need to stay focused and finish strong.”
QUOTABLE HEAD DIVING COACH TODD SHERRIT
“I thought it went well. For a freshman to come in and almost make the finals is great. Mathilda had a nice gainer two-and-a-half, and she just put it down. Overall you have to pay your dues in some ways, so it was hard for her to watch the finals tonight. She wants to get there and become great so that’s good. Yu Qian came up just a little bit short, but she did some good stuff today. Tomorrow we have to get back to work.”
Up Next for the Gamecocks
The Gamecocks are back in action tomorrow to swim the 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke, 200 butterfly, 400 medley relay and the women’s platform diving.
For more swimming updates, follow South Carolina Swimming and Diving on Twitter at @GamecockSwim.
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