The Georgia men’s swimming and diving team took first-place honors as the UGA Fall Invitational at Gabrielsen Natatorium concluded on Sunday.
The Bulldogs rolled up 939.5 points, outdistancing California (913) and Auburn (833.5).
The Georgia women placed second with 926 points, trailing Virginia’s 1,006.5. Auburn came in third with 755 points.
Georgia also swam Auburn in a dual meet within the invitational. The Bulldogs (5-0, 2-0 SEC) topped the Tigers 168-132 and the Lady Bulldogs (5-0, 2-0 SEC) defeated the Lady Tigers 183-95. The Lady Bulldogs extended their UGA all-sports record to 98 straight dual or tri meet wins at home dating back to Nov. 8, 1995. The Lady Bulldogs also sit at 27-0-1 in their last 28 dual meets.
“I couldn’t be happier with the way things went this weekend,” Georgia head coach Jack Bauerle said. “We saw really good swims across the board and I was pleased with the toughness we showed in the races. I am really proud of our teams. We reached a lot of the goals we set coming into the invite.”
Pace Clark won the 200-yard butterfly with an NCAA automatic qualifying standard time of 1:40.66. Mick Litherland came in third in 1:43.44, followed by Gunnar Bentz sixth in 1:44.11, Ty Stewart seventh in 1:44.16 and Powell Brooks 14th in 1:46.74.
Matias Koski claimed second in the 1,650-yard freestyle in 14:58.36, followed by Kevin Litherland in third in 15:02.90, Garrett Powell fourth in 15:07.37 and Aidan Burns ninth in 15:28.74.
Michael Trice and Matias Koski tied for second in the 100-yard freestyle in 43.01.
In the 200-yard backstroke, Taylor Dale finished third in 1:41.38, while Jay Litherland came in sixth in 1:43.36, Powell took seventh in 1:43.98 and Aidan Sweeney got to the wall in 1:48.23 for 15th.
James Guest came in sixth and Basil Orr was 16th in the 200-yard breaststroke with times of 1:58.43 and 2:02.48, respectively.
Spencer Madanay came in ninth on platform with 263.10 points.
The Bulldogs finished third in the 400-yard freestyle relay as Koski, Dale, Bentz and Trice stopped the clock in 2:53.89. Clark, Jay Litherland, Kevin Litherland and Powell took seventh with a time of 2:57.28 and Mick Litherland, Stewart, Alex BeMiller and Reed Wynn claimed ninth in 2:58.64.
Olivia Smoliga won the 100-yard freestyle and reached the NCAA automatic qualifying standard with a time of 47.69. Meaghan Raab won the B final for ninth in 48.56 and Shauna Lee took 12th in 49.58.
Hali Flickinger won the 200-yard butterfly with an A-cut time of 1:52.82. Megan Kingsley followed in second with a time of 1:54.29, while Courtney Weaver (1:59.25) was sixth. Caitlin Casazza won the consolation final in 1:58.92 to take ninth.
Brittany MacLean finished second in the 1,650-yard freestyle in 15:46.72, earning an A cut. Stephanie Peters claimed third in 16:09.62, while Rachel Zilinskas took eighth in 16:35.00.
Hali Flickinger came in second in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 1:52.84. Kylie Stewart took third in 1:53.10 and MacLean placed seventh in 1:56.86.
Annie Zhu paced Georgia in the 200-yard breaststroke as she stopped the clock in 2:08.50. Emily Cameron placed sixth in 2:12.22.
Kelly Thatcher led the Lady Bulldogs on platform, posting 221.25 points. Allison Greene took 11th with 176.30 points and Natalie Wallace claimed 13th with 143.10 points.
The Lady Bulldogs won the 400-yard freestyle relay as Smoliga, Raab, MacLean and Flickinger stopped the clock in 3:13.46. Lee, Stewart, Anna Kolanowski and Annie Williamson claimed fifth in 3:19.52, while Samantha Fazio, Cameron, Kingsley and Peters came in ninth in 3:22.90.
Georgia’s teams will be idle until the UGA Diving Invitational Jan. 3-5 and dual meets at Texas A&M and Texas on Jan. 8-9, respectively.
Virginia
The Virginia men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams won two events and broke two school records on the final day of the Georgia Fall Invitational Sunday (Dec. 6) at Gabrielsen Natatorium in Athens, Ga.
The No. 1 Cavalier women won the meet with 1006.5 points, ahead of No. 3 Georgia (926), No. 8 Auburn (330), No. 20 Penn State (528.5), Florida State (330) and Vanderbilt (165). The Virginia men finished fourth with 510 points, behind No. 4 Georgia (939.5), No. 2 California (913) and No. 9 Auburn (833.5), but ahead of Florida State (446) and Penn State (158).
The Cavaliers finished the weekend with a total of 12 event wins and six school records broken.
“I am so proud of this team,” UVA head coach Augie Busch said. “The way they supported each other throughout the entire meet, men and women, speaks volumes about their character and our culture. From a results standpoint, it was a very successful meet for us with several school records and NCAA qualifiers. I am excited for our young men’s team, who has an undeniable sense of togetherness and passion for the sport. Our women’s team is also nothing but a joy to work with, full of great people who work hard everyday in their quest for unprecedented greatness and program-first achievements. The staff and I are so energized to get back to work on what we know can be a special spring semester.”
Senior Courtney Bartholomew won the women’s 200 back in a time of 1:49.63, the top time in the country so far. Sophomore Jennifer Marrkand (Westport, Mass.) placed fourth in 1:54.72. Marrkand’s prelim time of 1:52.96 ranks fourth on UVA’s all-time list.
Junior Leah Smith (Pittsburgh, Pa.) captured the women’s 1,650 free in a nation-leading time of 15:39.56. Senior Hanne Borgersen (Frederick, Md.) was seventh in 16:34.70.
In the men’s 200 breast, senior Yannick Kaeser (Mumpf, Switzerland) finished second in a school-record time of 1:53.54.
The women’s 400 free relay of juniors Shannon Rauth (Glenmoore, Pa.) and Ellen Thomas (Guildford, United Kingdom), freshman Megan Moroney (Deerfield Beach, Fla.) and Bartholomew placed second in a school-record time of 3:14.69.
The Cavaliers had five competitors in the top eight of the women’s 100 free, led by Thomas in 48.49, which ranks second on UVA’s all-time list. Moroney was third (48.74), sophomore Caitlin Cooper (Atlanta, Ga.) was fourth (49.04), Rauth was seventh (49.37) and freshman Eryn Eddy (Lovelace, Colo.) was eighth (49.48).
Senior Becca Corbett (Louisville, Ky.) finished third in women’s platform diving with a score of 239.05. Marrkand placed third in the women’s 200 fly in a time of 1:56.09, just .04 off of her prelim time (1:56.05), which ranks sixth on UVA’s all-time list.
The men’s 400 free relay of sophomore Nicholas Magana (Scottsdale, Ariz.), junior Austin Quinn (Chagrin Falls, Ohio), sophomore Luke Georgiadis (Jacksonville, Fla.) and Matt Lockman (Charlottesville, Va.) finished in a time of 2:55.48. Magana’s lead-off 100 free split was 43.59, which ranks sixth on UVA’s all-time list.
In the women’s 200 breast, junior Laura Simon (Simmern, Germany) placed fourth in 2:09.07, while senior Natalie Martin (Haymarket, Va.) was seventh (2:14.79) and freshman Vivian Tafuto (Hummelstown, Pa.) finished eighth (2:15.84).
In men’s platform diving, senior Colby Shinholser (Burtonsville, Md.) placed fifth with a score of 329.55, ranking fifth on UVA’s all-time list, while fellow seniors Jordan Sacks (Wilmette, Ill.) and Carl Buergler (Arlington, Va.) finished seventh (275.45) and eighth (274.00).
“We completed a strong meet today with a much-needed tower event,” UVA head diving coach Jason Glorius said. “It is nice to get some experience up there and do some dives in a meet that we’ve only been practicing. I’m very happy with our efforts and results this weekend.”
Magana placed seventh in the men’s 100 free in a time of 44.01, sixth on UVA’s all-time list. Quinn finished eighth in the men’s 200 back in 1:46.22. Freshman Zach Fong (Moorestown, N.J.) placed 11th overall in the men’s 200 fly in 1:45.79.
The Cavaliers return to action Jan. 8-9, 2016, against Notre Dame at the Aquatic and Fitness Center.
Florida State
The Florida State swimming and diving teams continued its strong showing at the 2015 Georgia Invite by turning in 15 career best swims before finishing the meet in fifth place.
“It was a great weekend,” FSU head coach Frank Bradley said. “It’s the type of performance we were looking for. We had some awesome swims and we showed some improvements on both teams. I really like where we are after this weekend and I’m excited to get back to work with this team.”
Between both teams, the Seminoles faced seven teams ranked in the CSCAA poll, including four in the top five.
“Georgia, Virginia and Cal will compete for the national title for sure,” Bradley said. “We competed well with the best in the country. There were races this weekend, where we’ll see the same matchups at NCAA’s. It was a great meet and I thought we did well.”
Junior Dylan Grisell grabbed the lone first place of the meet for the Seminoles, winning platform with a score of 386.90, edging out sophomore Tyler Roberge, who was second with a score of 381.50.
“These guys competed well today,” FSU head diving coach John Proctor said. “They’re getting ready for nationals here in a few weeks and it was crucial for these guys come out there and do well. I like what I saw from them.”
Sophomore Connor Kalisz dropped another two seconds off of his 200 back time, winning the consolation heat with a time of 1:43.03. It was the third fastest swim in FSU history.
Also taking ninth place was senior Cole Hensley, who recorded his career best in the 200 fly with a time of 1:44.27, remaining in third on the all-time list.
“These two are having a heck of a season,” Bradley said. “They’ve been huge for us and I’m very happy they’re doing well.”
In the 100 free, junior Jason McCormick finished fifth with a time of 43.66 while freshman Kanoa Kaleoaloha placed ninth with a career best time of 43.96. Sophomore Chad Mylin (44.82) and senior Ian Apple (44.83) also competed in the C final, touching with personal best times.
Junior Jason Coombs led the way for the Seminoles in the 200 breast, touching with a 1:58.52.
The Seminoles concluded the short course portion of the meet with a fifth place finish in the 400 free relay with the team of McCormick, Kaleoaloha, Muratovic and Mylin with a final time of 2:55.69.
Freshman Summer Finke posted the fourth-fastest 1650 free in school history, touching with her third career best of meet at 16:21.43. Senior Madison Jacobi added 14th place points with a time of 16:56.30.
Sophomore Ariel Barber swam her best time, leading the Seminoles in the race with a 15th place finish at 2:01.60.
In the 100 free, senior Sami Pochowski was the only swimmer to earn a second swim in the event, touching in 17th with a final time of 50.06, however she led off the 400 free relay with a season best split of 49.77. The team of freshman Gracie Redding, senior Josie Cuda and junior Lydia Ware finished with a final time of 3:21.12 for seventh.
The Seminoles had three swimmers in the 200 breast consolation final as junior Caroline Neil placed 12th (2:16.93) and freshman McKenna Harris (2:17.82) was 14th with a career best time. Rookie, Natalie Purnell finished in 16th (2:19.58).
“Sami had a great day,” Bradley said. “She competed hard and stepped up today.”
In diving, freshman Cassidy Gebhart grabbed silver on platform, amassing a total of 258.15.
Following finals, the pool was converted to long course meters for a short time trialing session in order to athletes to achieve 2016 Olympic Trial standards.
Mylin (23.06), Apple (23.10) and Kaleoaloha (23.22) participated and achieved the mark in the 50 free (23.29).
Sophomore Natalie Pierce earned the cut in the 100m breast (1:11.49), touching with a 1:11.01. Coombs also swam under the standard with a 1:03.50, however he previously qualified for the meet in the event back in August.
“This meet opened their eyes,” Bradley said. “Our athletes see that with a little bit of hard work and toughness, we can be a pretty good team. Hopefully we can learn from this weekend and close out the season strong.”
Penn State Men
The Penn State men’s swimming and diving team placed sixth Sunday on the final day of competition at the Georgia Fall Invitational in Gabrielsen Natatorium. The Nittany Lions were also in action at the Big Al Open hosted by Princeton in DeNunzio Pool.
Rory Lewis (Kensington, Md.) posted the team’s top time with a provisional qualifier in the 200 butterfly of 1:46.47. Matt Stasiunas (Avondale, Pa.) also continued to lead to the Nittany Lions, placing 10th in the mile in 15:32.29. Robbie Dickson (Greenwich, N.J.) also swam well in the event, placing 16th in 15:53.30.
Penn State head coach Tim Murphy was pleased with the young team’s progress over the weekend.
“It’s a real learning curve and they’ve been pushing it pretty good,” said Murphy. “But again, you’re at a trials and finals meet, and we’re racked up with some of the top teams in the country, so it really gives them an idea of what they’re up against going into the season, the level they have to perform at from morning swims to night swims. They’ve responded well and they made progress. They’re learning and not swimming scared, they’re going at it. It’s been a nice progression. The personality of the team, the work ethic and where we need to set the bar is pretty clear. Now we need to begin to get back to work in the classroom and the pool and kind of build on where we’re at. We’ve got a good foothold now.”
Matt Grillo (Montreal, Quebec) epitomized the team’s fight in the 100 freestyle. After swimming a 45.06 in the prelims and a 45.56 in the finals to place 22nd, he swam the leadoff leg of the 4x100 freestyle relay in 44.82, helping the team to a 10th-place finish.
Host No. 4 Georgia won the meet and was followed by No. 2 Cal and No. 9 Auburn in the top three.
Penn State will return to competition in the New Year, resuming at Yale in a tri-meet with Rutgers Jan. 15-16.
Penn State Women
Melissa Rodriguez (Chihuahua, Mexico) broke her own school record in the 200 breaststroke to lead the No. 15 Penn State women’s swimming and diving team Sunday on the final day of competition at the UGA Fall Invitational in Gabrielsen Natatorium. The team also had swimmers and divers competing in the Big Al Open hosted by Princeton in DeNunzio Pool.
Rodriguez actually broke her own school record twice, touching in 2:09.26 in the morning preliminary and then cutting her time to 2:08.83 to place third in the final. Her previous record was 2:09.54 set at the 2014 Big Ten Championships.
“The third day of the meet presents some challenges with the accumulation of races, but she just did a real nice job of racing,” said Penn State head coach Tim Murphy. “She had a real nice heat of people to compete against. She’s really put in a lot of good work, and she’s been real determined and focused for a while now, so it was nice to see her perform and see the results.”
Taylor Cameron (Burlington, Ontario) and Emily Harris (Downington, Pa.) also had strong finishes in the event, placing 11th (2:16.68) and 15th (2:18.92), respectively.
Murphy’s thoughts were also with another Penn State team after the competition. Although they missed it for the competition, the team was excited for Penn State’s women’s soccer team’s national championship victory.
“On behalf of the swimming and diving teams, I want to say congratulations to the women’s soccer team on winning the National Championship,” said Murphy. “That is awesome.”
In the meet, Penn State placed fourth as a team with 528.5 points. No. 1 Virginia won with 1006.5 points, host and third-ranked Georgia was second with 926, while No. 10 Auburn was third with 755. Florida State and Vanderbilt trailed Penn State.
“We had a good third day of the meet,” said Murphy. “We had numerous best times and best season times again to add on. We had some real good, tough swims. So we’re just showing some real good strengths and real good execution. We’re working on the consistency of things and just trying to be strong and tough pretty much across the board.”
The Nittany Lions posted a pair of B-cut times in the 100 freestyle. Alyson Ackman (Montreal, Quebec) completed the morning preliminary in 49.00 seconds and placed fifth in 49.17 in the final. Kaitlin Jones (Midlothian, Va.) placed 11th in 49.44, while Katie Saloky (Bloomsburg, Pa.) was 16th in 50.86 after a morning swim of 50.29.
Casey Francis (East Meadow, N.Y.) earned her second sixth-place finish of the weekend, completing the mile in 16:18.14, while Katelyn Sowinski (Severna Park, Md.) was 12th in 16:44.00. Sowinski and Francis also had success in the 200 butterfly. Katie Rowe (Glenville, N.Y.) led the Lions in the event, placing seventh in 2:00.81 after swimming a provisional qualifying time of 1:58.65 in the morning, while Sowinski was eighth in 2:02.00 after swimming a 1:59.65 in the morning. In the B-final, Monika Gonzalez-Hermosillo (Mexico City, Mexico) was 11th in 1:59.79 and Francis was 14th in 2:01.62.
Niki Price (Manchester, Pa.) continued a strong weekend with a provisional qualifying time in the 200 backstroke, placing 10th in 1:57.56. Three Nittany Lions finished in order behind her, including Chelsea VanderWeele (Silver Spring, Md.) (2:00.12), Casey Fazio (Washington Township, N.J.) (2:00.55) and Rowe (2:00.74). Rowe swam the race in 1:59.00 to slip under the provisional standard in the morning preliminary race.
The Lions concluded the meet with a fourth place finish in the 4x100 freestyle relay, as Ackman, Jones, Price and Haley Sinatro (West Hartford, Conn.) combined to touch the wall in 3:17.78.
“I think this kind of weekend you get a real clear indication of what physically, emotionally and skill-wise we need to set the bar at, and really go after it the back half of the season,” said Murphy. “It was a very, very productive weekend for us.”
At Princeton, Mackenzie Cornell (Germantown, Md.) placed fourth in the 3-meter dive with a finals score of 274.20, while Aleksandra Tulacz (Shrewsbury, Mass.) led the swimmers with an eighth-place finish in the 200 breaststroke in 2:20.92.
Penn State will return to competition in the New Year, resuming at Yale in a tri-meet with Rutgers Jan. 15-16.
Fresno State
Three Bulldog divers have wrapped up the Georgia Fall Invitational at Gabrielsen Natatorium in Athens, Ga., on Sunday.
In the platform dives, junior Shelbie Holden finished sixth out of 13 with a score of 217.15 and senior Lacie Ruth placed seventh with a score of 215.10.
On Saturday, the Bulldogs competed in the 3-meter dives, but did not qualify for Finals.
