ATHENS, Ga .– Competing in front of the home crowd for the first time since February 2020, the University of Georgia swim and dive team kicked off the 2021-22 season with a decisive North Carolina twist on Friday afternoon at the Gabrielsen Natatorium.
The women of Georgia, in eighth place in the standings, surpassed the No. 15 Tar Heels, 175-120, while eighth-ranked Bulldog men prevailed over 21ns– UNC rated with a margin of 164.5-130.5. Friday’s result marked the third straight season in which Georgia wiped out their opening opponent, following victories against Alabama in 2019 and South Carolina in 2020.
The Bulldogs have been fueled by several returning overtime, even taking victories from its strong freshman class. Six Bulldogs took first place in multiple events, led by juniors Zoie Hartman and second year Luca Screaming, who both got a B cut in their wins. Hartman teamed up with senior Danielle Della Torre to wipe out the frog events, while Screaming was joined by senior Andrea Abruzzo in gaining a provisional time in the 200 butterfly. Abruzzo also scored a B-cut with its score of 4: 22.44 in the 500 freestyle.
second year Jake Magahey and freshman Abby McCulloh they proved their strength in long-distance events as the pair wiped out the 500 and 1,000 freestyle. Elderly Dakota Luther continued his dominance in butterfly competitions, including a winning B cut of 1: 56.93 in the 200, while senior Gabi Fa’amausili he won the 100 freestyle at 49.77 and 100 backstroke at 54.43. Luther then joined Fa’amausil, Hartman and the second year Maxine Parker winning the relay of the 200 medley opening with a time of 1: 39.23.
On the male side, the second year team Wesley Ng, Elderly Harrison Wayner, Screaming and junior Dillon Downing he prevailed in his 200 medley with a time of 1: 26.32. In other races Downing took the 50 freestyle at 20.12, while the junior teammates Zach Hils (44.17) and Ian Grum (1: 45.08) won the 100 freestyle and 200 backstroke respectively. second year Wesley Ng opened his first full season with the Bulldogs with a winning B cut of 47.56 in the 100 backstroke.
In the women’s rally, freshman Duné Coetzee opened her career in Georgia with a 1: 47.52 winner in the 200 freestyle, followed by junior Millie Sansome, who scored his first double win as the Bulldog with a time of 1: 58.88 in the 200 backstroke.
At the diving pit, freshman Nolan Lewis recorded Georgia’s best scores with fourth place in both springboard events. In the women’s competition, in the second year Meghan Wenzel earned top marks from the Bulldogs with third place in each event.
Georgia continues its season opening doubleheader as it hosts SEC rival South Carolina on Saturday at 11am at Gabrielsen Natatorium. The meeting is free for all viewers and will be streamed live on SEC Network +.
For all the news and updates on swimming and diving in Georgia, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter@UGASwimDive), Instagram (@ugaswimdive) and Facebook (UGA Swimming and Diving).
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