College of Charleston Splits with Campbell, Queens
The College of Charleston men's and women's swimming & diving teams opened the 2011 season at a meet at Johnson Natatorium at Campbell University.
The women defeated Queens University of Charlotte, 135-127, while being outscored by CCSA opponent Campbell, 144-118. The men's squad from Queens tallied more points than the Cougars, 154-108.
College of Charleston racked up three first-place finishes on the men's side, and five first-place finishes on the women's side.
Sophomore Sarah Boyle led the way for the Cougars on the women's side, taking first place in the 100-yard backstroke (1:00.58) and the 200-yard backstroke (2:12.67). Junior Gracie Herlong took first place in the 200-yard fly (2:07.92), and the Cougars took first and second in the 50-yard free as freshman Jayme Groth posted the top time (24.66) and classmate Sarah Graif was right behind her (24.74). Groth's time was better than any individual performance in the 50 free from last season. Graif also finished second in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 54.30.
The Cougars took first place in the women's 200-yard freestyle relay as Groth, Meredith Smith, Mary Frances Babrowicz and Graif swam a time of 1:39.47.
On the men's side, Matt and David Sherrier took first (1:43.60) and second (1:44.58) place, respectively, in the 200-yard freestyle race. Matt Sherrier also took second place in the 100-yard freestyle, touching the wall in 47.89. Freshman Pablo Ortiz had an impressive day as he finished first in the 200-yard fly (1:56.81) and the 200-yard IM (1:57.98).
Freshman Zack Lambert took second place in the 200-yard backstroke (2:01.43) where he was closely followed by classmate Mike McCarthy (2:02.80). Freshman Charles Ballard finished second in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:01.24. Freshman Josh Shaffer touched the wall in 10:02.07 in the 1000-yard freestyle.
The Cougars will not compete next weekend before hosting Georgia Southern in the first home meet of the season at the Stern Center on Oct. 29.
The men’s and women’s swim teams traveled to Buies Creek, N.C., to compete this afternoon at Campbell University. The men swam against College of Charleston defeating the Cougars 154-108 for their first victory over a Division I program in history. The women swam against the Cougars and the Camels falling to each by scores of 135-127 and 152-110, respectively. The women were able to set nine new records despite the losses.
"I’m very proud of the way that our women battled today," said Coach Jeff Dugdale after the meet. "Our men continue to show improvement, but we still have a ways to go. We have to swim faster when tired."
The men finished first in all but three events on the day alongside setting five new records.
Kyle House set the first new record for the men in the 100-yard back edging teammate Austin Hughey with a time of 52.81. John Long broke two records today; his first coming in the 100-yard free where he swam in at 45.91. He broke a second record in the 200-yard free relay where he led off with a time of 20.79. The lead off time broke his own record set just last week in the 50-yard free. The fourth record was broken by House in the 200-yard back (1:56.10) giving him two new records for the day as well.
The women’s meet with College of Charleston came down to the final relay of the day. The Cougars picked up the win in the 200-yard free relay edging Queens by eight points. In addition to setting nine new records, the Royals collected four first place wins in today’s meet.
Lillian Gordy took first place in the 1000-yard free edging Campbell’s Kylie Warne with a time of 10:40.49. Gordy’s time was also a new record in the event for Queens. She picked up another win in the 100-yard free swimming in at 54.13. Maddy Wallmon (1:00.26) notched the third win of the day for Queens in the 100-yard fly, while Tesa Pena (2:10.01) put the fourth win in the books in the 200-yard individual medley. Pena’s time was also a new record.
Other events with new records for the Queens women’s swim team included the 200-yard medley relay, 100-yard back, 100-yard breaststroke, 200-yard fly, 200-yard back, 200-yard breaststroke, and the 200-yard free relay.
Queens will return to competition on October 28 at Pfeiffer University against the Falcons and Brenau.