UGA swim and dive beats Georgia Tech for 50th-straight time

From UGA Sports Communications

ATLANTA, Ga. --- Georgia's swimming and diving teams defeated in-state rival Georgia Tech on Wednesday at the McAuley Aquatic Center.

The No. 1 Bulldogs outscored the Yellow Jackets 187.5-110.5, while the No. 1 Lady Bulldogs won by a score of 189-109. Both Georgia teams are 3-0 this season.

The teams face a quick mid-season turnaround, as they will face the Wisconsin Badgers in Athens on Friday and Saturday of this week.

“We had a really great meet today,” head coach Jack Bauerle said. “Georgia Tech had some really good swims and I am very proud of the team. We were a little sluggish at the start, but middle of the week meets are very different for us. We got better as we realized that we were there and it's always nice to win against Tech in Atlanta."

Gunnar Bentz led the Bulldogs with three individual wins, touching first in the 200 individual medley (1:48.39), the 100 butterfly (48.11) and the 200 butterfly (1:45.93).

Javier Acevedo won the 50 freestyle in 20.69, while also taking the top spot in the 200 backstroke (1:47.36). Chase Kalisz was also a double winner as he won the 100 and 200 breaststroke in 53.85 and 1:55.69, respectively.

SEC Male Swimmer of the Week Pace Clark stepped outside of his usual butterfly events and won the 500 freestyle in 4:31.28. Jay Litherland placed first in the 1,000-yard freestyle in 9:12.69 and Taylor Dale finished first in the 100 backstroke, clocking in at 47.74.

Ian Forlini claimed the top spot on the 3-meter springboard, posting a score of 367.88, while Charlie Clifton won the 1-meter with a score of 339.53.

Clark, Acevedo, Litherland and Dale clocked a 2:59.88 in the 400 freestyle relay to take first.

On the women’s side, Megan Kingsley won the 200 butterfly and 200 backstroke in 1:56.57 and 1:59.44, respectively. Freshman Meryn McCann also posted two individual wins, as she won the 500- (4:50.41) and 1,000-yard freestyle (10:04.61).

SEC Female Swimmer of the Week Meaghan Raab continued her success by winning the 100 breaststroke in 1:03.72. Olivia Smoliga, who owns the pool record in the event, won the 50 freestyle in 23.09 and Chantal Van Landeghem was the first to reach the wall in the 100 freestyle, finishing in 49.67.

Emily Cameron finished first in the 200 breaststroke in 2:16.01, while Chelsea Britt took top honors in the 100 butterfly in 54.72. Freshman Katherine Parker took the top spot in the 100 backstroke (55.98), while fellow freshman Veronica Burchill won the 200 individual medley in 2:04.29.

Madison Duvall posted a 342.00 to win the 3-meter springboard and SEC Diver of the Week McKensi Austin took the top spot on the 1-meter with a score of 289.65.

Kylie Stewart, Shauna Lee, Cameron and McCann combined for the fastest time in the 400 freestyle relay, touching the wall in 3:24.52.

The Bulldogs have won 50 straight meets against Georgia Tech dating back to the 1961-62 season. The Lady Bulldogs boast 12 straight victories over the Jackets. Bauerle is 36-0 all-time against Georgia Tech (22-0 coaching the men, 11-0 coaching the women and 3-0 as a Georgia swimmer).

“We are looking forward to swimming against Wisconsin,” Bauerle said. “Coach [Whitney] Hite is one of my former assistants and has done a great job there. We will be hard-pressed to win the women’s meet, as they have quite a few talented swimmers. I think Wisconsin will be a heck of a challenge, especially coming off of today. They always come ready to compete."

Georgia's teams return home to Gabrielsen Natatorium this weekend to face Wisconsin. Friday's competition begins at 4 p.m., while Saturday's events will kick off at 10 a.m. The Lady Bulldogs will be looking to extend their home win streak to 102 consecutive dual or tri meet wins, dating back to the 1995 season. Admission is free.