Verzyl Claims SEC Title in 1-Meter Dive, Gamecocks Wrap Up Day Two

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Senior Sophie Verzyl claimed the SEC title in the 1-meter dive on Tuesday night’s session of the 2026 SEC Championships inside the Allen Jones Aquatic Center.

DAY TWO

• Sophie Verzyl brought home the SEC title in the 1-meter after finishing with an impressive score of 342.35.
• The 800 freestyle relay team of Ellery Ottem, Amy Riordan, Breckin Gormley and Meaghan Harnish brought home fifth place with a time of 7:03.23.
• The men’s 800 free relay team of Pierre Largeron, Bexon Harrison, Ryan Hufford and Kyle Korvick finished with a time of 6:19.51, placing them 8th overall.
• In the 200 medley relay, the team of Dylan Scholes, Liz Goodwin-Birnie, Taylor Grimley and Kara West recorded a time of 1:38.05, placing them 11th.
• For the men, Ryan Hufford, Einar Agustsson, Eldor Usmonov and Quinn Buck clocked a time of 1:24.97 to take 11th place.
• Tuesday’s morning session featured the timed finals of the men’s and women’s 1650 freestyle and the preliminary round of the women’s 1-meter dive.
• On the diving side, Sophie Verzyl qualified for the 1-meter finals as the top seed after scoring a 340.00. She earned the silver medal in this event at last year’s championships.
• Nora Fluck (16:15.69), Breckin Gormley (16:18.78) and Emma Reiser (16:19.16) finished eighth, ninth and 10th, respectively, all notching top ten program times.
• Pierre Largeron (13th), Connor Fry (17th) and Ryan Turner (23rd) completed the men’s heats. Largeron recorded a time of 14:57.56, the seventh-fastest time in program history. Fry turned in a 15:05.00 and Turner clocked a 15:23.00.
• The Gamecocks had three individual swimmers and a relay compete in the time trials. The men’s 200 medley relay time of Ryan Hufford, Einar Agustsson, Eldor Usmonov and Bexon Harrison recorded a time of 1:24.77.
• Delaney Franklin (1:57.60) and Molly Yacoviello (1:58.82) competed in the 200 butterfly.
• Michael Cooper notched a time of 55.04 in the 100 breaststroke.

Quotes from Sophie Verzyl

On what it means to win gold at the SEC championship…

“I mean, it’s amazing. This is my last year of competition as well, so it was really just a goal that I had, and I’m really excited to have made it come true.”

On what it means to earn vital points for her team so early into the week…

“Well, at South Carolina, swimming and diving are very together, which is very unique, I think, compared to other programs. Even though it’s an individual sport, I really enjoy helping the team as a whole. The swim team cheers for us when no one else is around and we try to do the same for them. It feels like a family, so I’m really glad I can help my family out.”

On what she can take from this meet going into NCAA post-season meets…

“Just to know that I have this experience under my belt. The outcome will happen no matter what it is, so I just want to perform and enjoy the process while having fun. I can only control myself and that’s the best I can do. I’m really excited for the rest of the season.”

TEAM SCORES

Women’s

1. Texas – 232
   2. Florida – 190
   3. South Carolina – 175
   4. Auburn – 169
   5. Georgia – 160
   6. Tennessee – 153
   7. Texas A&M – 139
   8. Alabama – 133
   9. Kentucky – 126
   10. Missouri – 122
   11. LSU – 114
   12. Arkansas – 81
   13. Vanderbilt – 58

Men’s

1. Florida – 274
   2. Tennessee – 213
   3. Texas – 190
   4. LSU – 177
   5. Kentucky – 175
   6. Georgia – 155
   7. Auburn – 146
   8. Alabama – 136
   9. Missouri – 105
   10. South Carolina – 102
   11. Texas A&M – 91