Jackets Open Season at SCAD

THE FLATS – Georgia Tech Swimming and Diving kicks off its 2021-22 season Saturday when it travels to Savannah, Ga. to take on the SCAD Bees at 11 a.m.

The meet in Savannah marks the first regular season meet of the season. Earlier in the season, the Jackets took part in the two-day White vs. Gold Intrasquad Meet. The exhibition meet gave a first glance at what to expect for the upcoming season.

On the men’s side, notable results include sophomore Batur Ünlü who took the top spot in the men’s 500 free, 100 free, 400 IM and 200 free. Senior Caio Pumputis was the first to touch in the men’s 200 IM, 100 breast and 200 breast. Freshman Berke Saka showed his prowess in the backstroke finishing first in the 100 back and 200 back. Senior Christian Ferraro clocked the best times in the men’s 200 fly, 100 fly and 50 free. Freshman Mert Kilavuz set the pace in the one distance event finishing first in the 1000 free.

The diving team did not have a full set of results from the exhibition meet but Junior Ruben Lechuga comes back after a season where he competed on all three boards and set new career-bests on the 3-meter board and the platform. Freshman Allen Mann was recently awarded Student-Athlete of the Month for September by the coaching staff.

On the women’s side, freshman Defne Tacyildiz had a few notable results finishing first in the women’s 500 free, 200 fly, and 400 IM. Freshman Zora Ripkova placed first in the women’s 100 free, 100 fly and 50 free. Sophomore Claudia Butterfield touched first in the women’s 100 breast and 200 breast. Freshman Sophie Murphy secured the top spot in the women’s 200 back and 200 free. Junior Duda Seifer touched first in the women’s 1000 free.

The diving team returns some top performers. Senior Camryn Hidalgo comes back after setting the Georgia Tech record in the platform event. Hidalgo now holds every single diving record in program history. She was also an NCAA All-American in both the platform and 3-meter events. At the NCAA Championships, Hidalgo took home the bronze medal. In 2020, she was the first diver of either gender to take home an ACC Championship and only the second Yellow Jacket ever to win an ACC Championship. Hidalgo can return to glory at the NCAA and ACC Championships at home in the McAuley Aquatic Center when Georgia Tech hosts both the ACC Championships and NCAA Championships.

Sophomore Anna Bradescu comes off a freshman All-American campaign on the platform. Junior Carmen Woodruff received acclaim from her coaches as the September Iron Jacket of the Month.

The meet this Saturday will be the first step in solidifying a group that retains 11 NCAA All-America honors, 10 CSCAA All-America honors, four individual ACC Championships and 10 All-ACC awards for a fifth year of eligibility and a group of promising freshman who are already leading the field in certain events.

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