Nov. 9, 2013
THE FLATS – The Georgia Tech swimming & diving teams defeated the Savannah College of Art & Design, while the Yellow Jacket divers beat Clemson, on Saturday afternoon at the GT Aquatic Center.
Junior Kate Woolbright won both the 1,000 free (10:25.26) and the 200 back (2:07.97) to pace the women’s team, which beat SCAD 163-68. Junior Mark Sarman took both the 200 IM (1:55.60) and 200 fly (1:53.76) to lead the men to a 158-57 win over the visiting Bees.
“I was really happy with the way we swam today,” said head coach Courtney Shealy Hart. “We’ve been working on a lot of little things in practice – starts, turns, breakouts, stroke techniques – and I really thought we saw some improvement today. We’re looking forward to the invite in two weeks where we’ll really see some fast swimming.”
Junior Andrew Kosic put down a winning time of 20.53 in the 50 free, and also led both the 400 free relay and 400 medley relay to victories. The medley relay of Kosic, Ricky Lehner, Nico van Duijn and Taylor Wilson posted a time of 3:26.45 in getting things started for Tech. The free relay of Kosic, Wilson, Andrew Chetcuti and van Duijn won in 3:03.80.
Sophomore Yuval Safra, who ranks among the fastest distance swimmers in the ACC, won the 1,000 free on Saturday in a time of 9:39.04 and finished second to Tech’s Elliott Brockelbank in the 500 free. Brockelbank was clocked in 4:42.14 in winning the 500, followed closely by Safra (4:44.10).
“I’m looking to keep working hard,” said Safra. “I’m looking to keep improving and getting ready to swim the mile and the 1,000 at the (GT) Invite in a few weeks.”
van Duijn (200 free, 1:41.57) and Anton Lagerqvist (200 breast, 2:09.59) also picked up individual victories on Saturday
Junior Kate Brandus led a balanced women’s attack over SCAD, as Tech’s junior captain was victorious in the 200 fly in a time of 2:08.65.
“At this point in the season, I’ve had a few good swims but I’m always looking to improve,” said Brandus. “I was just taking today’s meet as a chance to not back off, but keep my momentum going with the (GT) Invite coming soon.”
Senior Hailey White won both the 200 free (1:53.74) and the 100 free (52.98), but the Jackets also got some strong contributions from their underclassmen on Saturday.
Rookies Elise Breaux (24.64) and Xanna Tracey (25.11) finished first and second in the 50 free, sophomores Chiara Ruiu (2:08.78) and Frederique Lefebvre (2:09.18) went 1-2 in the 200 IM, and sophomore Sara Williford won the 500 free (5:08.35).
“Those guys really stepped up today, which was good to see” said Brandus. “Half of our women’s team is underclassmen, so we’re really going to count on them.”
On the boards, sophomore Shannon Lumbra (320.05 points), freshman Andrea Demick (292.20) and senior Ashley Hardy (288.05) claimed the top three spots on the 3-meter springboard versus ACC rival Clemson.
Hardy (305.00) and Lumbra (298.85) finished first and second on the 1-meter springboard.
Rookie men’s diver Brad Homza scored 323.75 points on the 1-meter board and 354.90 on the 3-meter in winning both events uncontested.
The Yellow Jackets return to action Friday, Nov. 22 when the three-day GT Invitational kicks off.
