South Carolina – Lightning, it seems, can strike twice – that is if it’s West Florida Lightning and you’re South Carolina head coach Don Gibb landing Claire and Christine Thompson (St. Petersburg, FL). The Thompson twins each boast NCAA ‘B’ cuts and are significant upgrade over the current crop of Gamecock freestylers and give SC legitimate relay opportunities at the NCAA meet. Carolina poached breaststroke Megan D’Urso from Georgia and Cassandra Cregar from New Jersey (though brother Bill signed with the Bulldogs). D’Urso won’t immediately replace graduating senior Lindsay Tiberio but backstroker Megan Sparks (Carmel, IN) is, like the Thompsons, a great leap forward. Link

2693	Thompson, Claire	St. Petersburg, FL
2643	Thompson, Christine	St. Petersburg, FL
2448	Sparks, Megan		Carmel, IN
2486	D'Urso, Megan		Gwinnett, GA
2478	Cregar, Cassandra	Washington Township, NJ