THE FLATS – Georgia Tech swimming and diving held its senior day against Gardner-Webb on Saturday. Tech won the women’s meet 168-85 and the men’s meet 169-85.
It was senior day at McAuley Aquatic Center. Seniors won six events on the day. Senior Tyler Branscombe won the 50 free (20.85) and the 100 free (45.61). In the 200 free, Clark Wakeland placed first with a time of 1:39.29.
“I’ve been working a lot on the 200 free in practice whether it be pace or how I swim it,” Wakeland said. “I think I utilized my lower body a lot. I think that’s going to pay off come ACCs in two weeks so I’m really excited for that.”
Senior Day Photos
Senior Morgan Johnson, who on her time on The Flats has the third best time in the 1000 free in program history, won the 1000 free on her senior day. She clocked in at 10:18.51.
“I think it was a very emotional day. It was great that all the senior’s families could come and watch our last swims. Our teammates were very supportive during the long 1000 race. It was a great end to the meet,” Johnson said.
In the 100 back, senior Jami Williams clocked the fastest time in the event, touching the wall at 58.35.
“I think the day started off in high spirits with everyone supporting the seniors today. Going into my last 100 back I was just excited to finish strong with all of the people that support me around me today,” Williams said.
Senior Emily Graham took to the pool in the 100 breast, winning the event with a time of 1:04.64.
“My teammates and enjoying the moment around me helped me out this meet. I just had a lot of fun,” Graham said.
The women’s 400 medley relay was won by the Jackets. It featured senior Nicole Williams as well as Sarah Livingston, McKenzie Campbell and Rachel Fulton who swam the event in 3:55.07.
Kyle Barone, a senior who owns 12 top program times, finished second on the day in the 200 back.
“We started to taper off. We’re getting a lot more rest. At this part of the season the biggest thing is executing all the little things right. That’s starting to show in my swims and is leading to my results,” Barone said.
Senior Austin Daniel came in second in the 50 free (20.86) and 100 free (45.92) while senior Daniel Jacobs placed third in the 200 free (1:41.97).
The final two swimming seniors to compete today were Macleary Moran and Cale Russell. Moran swam the 50 free and 100 free turning in times of 25.89 and 55.75, respectively. Russell swam the 200 free in 1:44.57.
Kelsey Dekshenieks was the lone diving senior. In an exhibition meet against Arkansas, she scored 225.45 on the platform. Her teammate, Carmen Woodruff, won the platform event posting a score of 288.90, a career best.
“I think I was relaxed and happy to celebrate the seniors. I wasn’t really stressed for myself so going into the meet with that attitude helped,” Woodruff said.
The White and Gold return to the pool on Feb. 11 for the Yellow Jacket Invitational.
Alexander-Tharpe Fund
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.
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