Feb. 1, 2003
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Highlighted by an NCAA “B” cut performance in the 500-yard freestyle from senior All-American Shilo Ayalon, the Georgia Tech men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams concluded their dual meet schedule Saturday against Maryland and North Carolina at the Tar Heels’ Koury Natatorium. Tech’s men defeated Maryland, 155-82, but fell to No. 23 North Carolina, 161-82. The women lost to the 11th-ranked Tar Heels, 186-57, while the No. 15 Terps topped the Jackets, 168-75.
Both squads complete the dual meet season with identical 4-7 marks. The men are 2-3 in the ACC, while the women stand 1-4.
Ayalon picked up a pair of wins in the 500 and 1000 free. His season-best time of 4:26.83 in the 500 provisionally qualifies him for the NCAA Championships. Ayalon took first in the 1000 free with a mark of 9:12.87. Freshman Sam Morgan was not far behind Ayalon, as he placed second in the 1000 and third in the 500 free, recording lifetime-best marks of 9:15.52 and 4:32.55, respectively.
Freshman diver Laurissa Prystaj, who took first on both boards, led Tech’s women. She tallied 248.35 points on the one-meter board and 277.35 in the three-meter event.
The Yellow Jacket men also enjoyed several season-best swims. Leading things off was the 400 medley relay team of Jeremy Raines, Robbie Foster, Teemu Kettunen and Marc Maier, who finished second in 3:23.24. Sophomore Matt Figh had a solid meet, posting a pair of season-bests. He took third in both the 200 free (1:40.97) and the 200 fly (1:52.17).
The Jackets also got season-bests in the 50 free from Kettunen (21.16) and freshman Ryan Riebesell (21.18), who also went a season-best 46.85 in the 100 free.
The men’s 200 back was also a strong event for Tech, as senior James Salazar took second in 1:49.69, a season-best. Jorge Oliver and Raines, took fourth and fifth, with Raines setting a lifetime best with a swim of 1:53.35. Tech also took second and third in the 200 breast, as Tomonori Tsuji went 2:02.53, followed by Foster in 2:07.30.
Freshman Meghan DeVinney led the women’s swimmers with a third-place finish in the 200 fly. She posted a time of 2:06.77, while teammate Lisa Hancock was fourth in 2:07.01. Hancock was also sixth in the 1000 free.
Additionally, sophomore Anna Saum clocked a season-best time of 24.53 in the 50 free.
Tech returns to action at the ACC Championships, which are slated for February 20-22 (women) and February 27-March 1 (men) in Chapel Hill.
-GT-
