Swimmers/Divers

Jack is one of the best coaches of all time. Kids really respect him, why not, he leads them to National Championships. Wish others could do the same.

DALLAS, Texas --- The Georgia swimming and diving teams enjoyed a successful day Saturday at SMU's Perkins Natatorium.

The second-ranked Lady Bulldogs defeated No. 8 Texas A&M 169-126 and No. 21 SMU 200-89. In the men's meet, the No. 11 Bulldogs topped the Mustangs 163-132.

"This is the time of year where we are coming out of the best training in the pool and the weight room," Georgia associate head coach Harvey Humphries said. "These were some of the best performances by both the men and the women at this particular time of year. We are looking forward to swimming Texas next week in our pool as their men and women are two of the best dual teams in the country

Georgia Swimmers & Divers Hosting Texas
Jan. 14, 2011

ATHENS, Ga. --- The Georgia swimming and diving teams will entertain Texas on Saturday in the final home dual meet of the season.

The women’s meet at 11 a.m. will pit No. 2 Georgia against No. 3 Texas, while the men’s meet will feature the 11th-ranked Bulldogs against No. 1 Texas at 2:30 p.m. Before each meet, members of the senior class will be recognized.

Admission is free to the action at Gabrielsen Natatorium inside the Ramsey Center.

The Lady Bulldogs check into Saturday’s meet with a 6-0 record. Moreover, with its win over Florida in October, Georgia ran its streak of consecutive victories at home to 72 dating back to the 1995-96 season.

“The streak is not something that we talk about, but it is something we’re all aware of,” Georgia head coach Jack Bauerle said. “It’s become a real point of pride over the years, and each team wants to keep it going during their watch. We’re proud of the streak, but we’re also proud that it’s come against some really good teams. We haven’t ducked anyone to keep the streak going. To me, a streak like this is not worthwhile unless you’re competing against good people.”

A year ago, the Texas women handed Georgia its only loss of the season. The meet came down to the final relay, with Texas winning 153-147 to snap a seven-meet losing streak to the Lady Bulldogs.

“Last year’s meet was voted as the top dual meet of the year (by CollegeSwimming.com), and there’s no reason to think any differently this year,” Bauerle said. “We’ve got to win some close races – and not just firsts and seconds but also fourths and fifths – to change the meet around, and I think we have a few folks who are ready to step up. Texas has great kids, and they just keep coming at you every year. This should be one of the best meets you can watch. If you want to see the best female swimmers in the country, this is it.”

On the men’s side, Bauerle said Saturday’s meet will help the Bulldogs prepare for the championship portion of the schedule.

“This will be a terrific challenge for our men,” Bauerle said. “Texas is No. 1, and no team appears to be close to them. That said, we have traditionally had some great meets with them, and we are excited about swimming against them. There should be some great races. This will be a good competition for our team to have before the SECs (next month in Gainesville, Fla.).”

Before each meet, the Georgia seniors will be recognized: Lauren Cartwright, Colleen Haase, Courtney Monsees, Emily Montesinos, Hannah Moore, Chelsea Nauta, Sara Nicponski and Morgan Scroggy for the Lady Bulldogs, and Tim Barrett, Matt Bartlett, Bill Cregar, Mark Dylla, Kevin Frankenfeld, Richmond Green and Martin Kata for the Bulldogs.

“This will be a special day for our seniors and their families,” Bauerle said. “This senior class has meant so much to our program. They have made their mark academically and athletically, and they have been tremendous ambassadors for our school. They have made us proud with everything they have done, and the good news is they aren’t done yet. They will continue to be our leaders as we head into the championship part of the schedule.”

GO DAWGS DROWN THEM HORNS

Margalis Leads Lady Bulldogs Past Tennessee

Melanie Margalis won three individual events and was on a victorious relay Friday.

Jan. 22, 2011

Results
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. --- Georgia's swimming and diving teams emerged with two victories in three chances on Saturday at the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center.

The No. 2 Lady Bulldogs recorded a 177-123 victory over the Lady Volunteers. In the men's double dual meet, the No. 11 Bulldogs split with Indiana and Tennessee. Georgia took a 149-134 win over the No. 12 Hoosiers, but dropped a 155-128 decision to the 10th-ranked Volunteers.

Melanie Margalis won twice for the Lady Bulldogs, claiming the 100 breaststroke in 1:01.95 and the 200 breaststroke in 2:14.49. Also winning for Georgia were Wendy Trott in the 1,000 freestyle (9:47.69); Emily Montesinos in the 50 freestyle (22.92); Allison Schmitt in the 100 freestyle (49.93); Kelsey Gaid in the 200 backstroke (1:57.18); Morgan Scroggy in the 200 individual medley (2:02.70); and Hannah Moore on the 3-meter springboard (344.18 points).

Georgia also swept the relays as Kristin Shickora, Sara Nicponski, Margalis and Montesinos won the 200 medley relay in 1:42.12 and Megan Romano, Margalis, Shannon Vreeland and Schmitt took the 400 freestyle relay in 3:20.30.

Bill Cregar, Mark Dylla and Martin Grodzki had the top times in two events apiece for the Bulldogs. Cregar claimed the 200 breaststroke in 2:00.05 and the 200 individual medley in 1:48.43. Dylla swept the butterfly races, taking the 100 in 48.28 and the 200 in 1:47.79. Grodzki won the 500 and 1,000 freestyle events in 4:25.33 and 9:06.47, respectively.

"Our young men and young women responded in a way today that would make the Georgia people proud," Georgia associate head coach Harvey Humphries said. "Tennessee had its Senior Day, so there was a lot of energy and spirit in the pool. Our kids did a great job competing. It was a tough challenge, but they stepped up and rose to meet it."

Georgia's teams will travel to Columbia next Saturday to face South Carolina and Alabama.

Swimmers & Divers Wrap Up Against Carolina & Alabama

Jan. 28, 2011

ATHENS, Ga. --- The Georgia swimming and diving teams will conclude the regular season on Saturday with a tri-meet in Columbia, S.C.

Georgia will take on South Carolina and Alabama at the Blatt P.E. Center Saturday. The meet will start with diving at 10:30 a.m., followed by swimming at noon. Georgia’s next competition will come in the Southeastern Conference Championships Feb. 11-13 (diving) and Feb. 16-19 (swimming) at Florida.

The Lady Bulldogs enter Saturday’s competition ranked No. 2 and sporting an overall record of 8-0, including a 2-0 mark against SEC opponents. South Carolina is 6-5 and 1-2, while Alabama is 0-7 and 0-3. On the men’s side, No. 9 Georgia is 4-4 and 0-2, while No. 16 Alabama is 7-0 and 3-0, and No. 22 South Carolina is 9-0 and 1-0.

“We need to be at our best on Saturday,” Georgia coach Jack Bauerle said. “It’s important to be focused on the task at hand and on continuing to get better. As coaches, this meet will help us make some decisions about the SECs. We need to have an exceptional meet on Saturday.”

The Lady Bulldogs will attempt to finish the regular season undefeated for the 11th in school history, all under Bauerle. Georgia’s senior class is 37-1 entering Saturday’s meet.

Megan Romano (200 freestyle and 100 backstroke) and Wendy Trott (500 freestyle and 1,650 freestyle) lead the SEC in two categories apiece. Sara Nicponski (100 breaststroke) and Melanie Margalis (200 individual medley) also have conference-best times. Martin Grodzki is the SEC leader in the 500 and 1,650 freestyle, with Doug Reynolds on top of the 100 butterfly and Mark Dylla on top of the 200 butterfly.

UGA Swimmers & Divers Close Season With Victories

Jan. 29, 2011

COLUMBIA, S.C. --- The Georgia swimming and diving teams wrapped up the regular season with victories at South Carolina's Blatt P.E. Center on Saturday.

The ninth-ranked Bulldogs improved to 6-4 overall and 2-2 in the SEC by knocking off No. 16 Alabama 177.5-120.5 and No. 22 South Carolina 180.5-117.5. The No. 2 Lady Bulldogs topped Alabama 191-107 and South Carolina 178.5-119.5 to finish 10-0 overall and 4-0 in the conference. The Lady Bulldogs notched the 11th undefeated season in school history as the seniors improved to 39-1.