The Clemson men's and Florida State women began their seasons in style with 3-0 sweeps at the Quad Duals at Georgia Tech. .
The Clemson men defeated Georgia Tech 185-113, Alabama 187-107, and Florida State 151-143. With the victories, the Tigers move to 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the ACC. The No. 7 Seminole women defeated Clemson 195-105, Alabama 203-97 and the host Yellow Jackets 205-95. The Alabama women picked up a pair of wins 172-128 over Clemson and 183-115 over Georgia Tech. Clemson's women claimed the final win, a 166-130 tally over the Host. The Seminole men notched 166-134, 190-108 victories over Georgia Tech and Alabama while the Wramblin Wreck ensured the Tide men would remain winless with a 162-138 score.
"I think we swam well, I'm excited with how we competed," said head coach Neil Harper. "We wanted to come to Georgia Tech and have a great experience and we did."
The star for the seventh ranked Seminole women was freshman Lowri Tynan. The newcomer from Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales was victorious 11 times in the four events she participated in including a sweep in the 100 breast (1:03.79) and 200 breast (2:21.04). Freshman Holly Mills also made an instant impact winning the 200 back in a time of 2: 01.93. Distance swimmer, junior Caroline Robertson won the 500 free (4:57.07) and finished second in the 1000 free (10:12.68). Sophomore Kylsie Grimes led a dominating Seminole performance in the 200 free with a winning time of 1: 51.79. Florida State took four out of the five top spots in the event including the top three.
"Top to bottom our team did really well," said Harper. "Caroline Robertson did a great job in the distance events and our freshman started out really strong."
The Clemson men's team made a lot of noise, winning six out of 16 events. Attila Ruszka, Matt Angelini, and Andy Bergren made up the top-three in the 200 IM. Angelini also picked up a win in the 200 fly for the Tigers. Tom Recko won the 200 back for the Tigers, while Mark Vahle won the 50 free for the second consecutive time.
Clemson Head Coach Chris Ip was pleased, adding "we're excited to pick up three wins against some tough competition. We beat a tough SEC team and two strong ACC squads. The guys are starting to come together as a team. A lot of different people are coming through in different ways. They really understand what needs to be done as a team. "
Additionally, senior captain Matt Balderston was able to finish third in the 50 free, fourth in the 100 free, and led off for the first-place 400 free relay squad. Senior Adam Farnham won the 100 fly and finished second to Angelini in the 200 fly. Senior Stephen Russell picked up a pair of second-place finishes in the 100 free and 100 fly, as well as racing the third leg of the winning 400 free relay squad.
On the men's side, defending one meter NCAA Champion sophomore Terry Horner began his title defense with a victory on the one meter board (388.85 ) and a second place finish on the three meter (310.40). In the pool it was junior Scott Baker who stood out with nine victories in his four events. The junior college transfer from Indian River Community College swept the 100 free (45.48) and took home two wins in the 50 free (20.55). The 15th ranked Seminoles also had an impressive one-two-three finish in the 200 breast with sophomore Scott Thacker getting the victory with a time of 2: 05.64. Sophomore Nick Graves won the 1000 free (9:21.97) and finished second in the 500 free (4:35.67).
"I thought that Scott Baker was really strong," said Harper. "Our breaststroke events were solid and in the distance evens Nick Graves and Ian Rowe did great."
On the women's side, junior captain Rachel Regone won both the 50 free (23.47) and the 100 free (51.55), while teammate Lauren Sindall placed second in the 50 free (23.75). Junior Michelle Parkhurst picked up a victory for the Tigers in the 100 Back (56.71) and second in the 200 back (2:02.73). Sophomore Katrina Obas picked up a second place finish in the 200 breast (2:22.44) and a third place in the 100 breast (1:06.12).
Ip said, "I think the women did a nice job coming back. It took them a while to get going, but we need to be able to get going and be ready to bounce back on our other opportunities. But overall, I am pleased and this gives us a good benchmark of where we are and where we need to be."
"Matt Balderston has been so consistent and he is really seeing the fruits of his hard work. Adam Farnham is definitely coming across nicely. Meggie Mizelle has done terrific for us in the 200 fly as well. Sarah Smith also started to pull things together." The Tigers will have next weekend off form meets before traveling to Charlottesville to take on the Cavaliers on October 27.
