Gamecock Swim & Dive; Fall 2024 in Review
REWRITING THE RECORD BOOKS
On the final day of the Gamecock Invitational in November the team saw four total records from four different athletes. Madison Kolessar started off the night with a 16:12.57 in the 1650 free, breaking the previous school record set by Emma Barksdale in 2018 by .01. Kaden Smesko followed up with a school and pool record in the 200 backstroke, clocking a 1:41.55. Amy Riordan and Greta Pelzek grabbed pool records in the 200 backstroke (1:52.89) and 200 butterfly (1:54.75), respectively.
Sophie Verzyl broke two pool records at two different schools; starting off the season claiming Duke’s pool record in the 3-meter with a score of 390.53. The junior went on to set a new pool record for UNCW in the same event with a mark of 398.03.
IN THE RANKINGS
The women’s program consistently ranked amongst the top programs in the country, remaining in CSCAA’s Top 25 polls in October, November and December. In the preseason poll, the Gamecocks received 14 votes, landing them right outside of the top-25. In October the program jumped to No. 17, ahead of SEC foes Auburn, Texas A&M and Missouri. In November the women were ranked No. 20 and they wrapped up 2024 at No. 22 in December.
Going into 2025 several Gamecocks individually rank within the top-10 in the conference. On the women’s side, Riordan has the fifth fastest time in the 200 backstroke with a 1:52.89. Kolessar ranks ninth in the 1650 with her new school record time of 16:12.57. Pelzek has the seventh fastest 200 fly time (1:54.75). Verzyl ranks first in the 3-meter and second in the 1-meter. On the men’s side, Connor Fry ranks ninth in the SEC in the 1650 free with a 14:52.97.
WEEKLY AWARDS
Verzyl has thoroughly represented the Gamecocks in the SEC Weekly awards, collecting four total Diver of the Week honors thus far throughout the season which is the most out of any swimming or diving athlete in the conference.
Ryan Turner picked up the first weekly award for the swimmers of the 2024-25 season, being named Male Freshman of the Week on Nov. 12.
ON THE NATIONAL STAGE
At the USA Diving Winter Nationals in December, Verzyl collected two medals. She kicked off the event placing third alongside partner Margo O’Meara of Duke in the 3-meter synchro with a 497.40, only three tenths behind the runner-up. The following day the junior remained atop the competition, earning a silver medal in the 1-meter with 505.95 points.
Fry, Turner and Umut Yildirim brought home the gold for the Gamecocks at the CSCAA National Open Water Championships, placing first out of 11 other teams with a combined 5k time of 3:03.58. The women’s team, represented by Nora Fluck, Emma Reiser and Sianna Savarda, were the Women’s Team National Runner-Ups out of 19 teams after the three swam a combined 3:21:29.
UP NEXT
The Gamecocks pick back up on January 4th for a dual meet at Virginia Tech. The final home meet of the 2024-25 season takes place on January 25th against Georgia Tech beginning at 10:00 a.m.
For the latest South Carolina swimming and diving information, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team on social media (@GamecocksSwmDive).
