Oct. 13, 2012
THE FLATS – The Georgia Tech swimming & diving teams kicked off their 2012-13 season Saturday at the GT Aquatic Center, rolling past the College of the Charleston. Junior Brandon Makinson set the school record in the 3-meter diving, as the men’s team won 187-99, while the women claimed a 167-122 victory.
“This was a great first meet for us,” said head coach Courtney Shealy Hart. “We had some really good swims from our freshmen and that’s to be expected as they’re obviously excited for their first meet, and I’m happy for Brandon to break his own record in the 3-meter. I liked our attitude and our approach today. Charleston is a solid team, and they showed up ready to swim today. We now have to turn our focus to Wednesday and prepare ourselves for Georgia.”
Makinson won both the 1-meter and 3-meter events, posting a score of 354.10 on the 1-meter and a Tech record 408.85 on the 3-meter. His 3-meter score broke the previous school record of 408.10 that he set at the 2011 ACC Championship as a sophomore.
Sophomore Nico van Duijn highlighted the men’s meet in the pool, posting four victories for the Yellow Jackets. The Swiss native was part of both winning relays, won the 200 fly (1:50.11) by three seconds and edged teammate Andrew Kosic at the wall in the 100 fly (49.27).
Kosic, a sophomore, teamed with van Duijn for both relays, and was the victor in the 200 free (1:41.69). Seniors Matthew Vaughan and Eric Chiu completed the Jackets’ 200 medley relay (1:30.66), and Vaughan’s solid meet continued by winning the 100 breast (55.83) and the 200 breast (2:05.34).
Chiu won the 50 free (21.02) and was part of the winning 400 free relay (3:04.52) with van Duijn, Kosic and junior Jacob Johnson.
Other winners for the Jackets included freshman Michael Kenny in the 1,000 free (9:46.58), senior Bo Hatchett in the 100 back (52.04), Johnson in the 100 free (47.24), sophomore Wilson Wei in the 200 back (1:54.35), junior Andreas Nillson in the 500 free (4:42.92) and sophomore Mark Sarman in the 200 IM (1:54.88).
Junior Hailey White turned in three wins for the Yellow Jacket women, taking the 200 free (1:52.33), the 500 free (5:08.24) and helping the 400 free relay to a victory in a time of 3:30.19. Sophomore Kate Brandus was also on the winning end of three events for Tech. She helped the 200 medley relay to victory, and also won both the 100 fly (57.28) and 200 fly (2:08.27).
Bradus got the women started on the right foot, teaming with freshman Katherine Kerman, sophomore Catherine Richards and freshman Erika Staskevicius to win the 200 medley relay in a time of 1:47.05.
Senior Kate Riley took the 100 free (52.25) and aided the 400 free relay to victory, along with White, Staskevicius and freshman Chiara Ruiu. Sophomore Kate Woolbright swam to victory in the 1,000 free (10:24.73) and came back later to win the 200 back (2:07.40).
In the women’s diving competition, junior Ashley Hardy won the 1-meter (292.20), while freshman Shannon Lumbra’s score on the 3-meter of 276.35 was good for the win.
Freshman Darelle Cowley was victorious in the 200 breast (2:21.83).
The Yellow Jackets are back in action Wednesday afternoon, hosting Georgia at the GT Aquatic Center. The meet begins at 4 p.m. and admission is free.
