By Rebecca Noblett
ATHENS, Georgia, November 15. THE Georgia Bulldogs continued their winning season with a victory against NCAA Division III Emory today. The men beat Emory by a score of 137-73, while the women extended their undefeated home run to 86 meets with a 130-97 win against the reigning NCAA Division III champion Eagles.
Georgia showcased its depth with many swimmers swimming in off events in preparation for next week’s Auburn Invitational. The epitome of how much of an off event schedule they swam is that DIVER Laura Ryan anchored the Georgia A relay in the 400 freestyle with a 25.23 – not the slowest leg of the night.
Nevertheless, the Bulldogs still had several swimmers make NCAA B-cuts. Olivia Smoliga posted a lifetime best time of 1:58.75 in the 200 backstroke, while Amber McDermott won the 200 IM in a qualifying time of 2:02.29.
Chase Kalisz continued his stellar season for the Bulldogs. Though more known for IM and breaststroke events, Kalisz’s time of 1:45.61 in the 200 back ties him for seventh-fastest in the country this season. Kalisz already has the fastest time in the country in four events this season.
Melanie Margalis posted a double for the Bulldogs today, winning the 50 free (23.24) and the 200 fly (1:58.84). Margalis’ 200 fly time was good for an NCAA B-cut and puts her at eighth fastest in the country this season in the event. Georgia’s Doug Reynolds also won a pair of events today- the 200 free (1:39.30) and the 100 free (45.51)
The Bulldogs swept the 400 medley relays today. The women’s team of Lauren Harrington, Melanie Margalis, Courtney Peters, and Jessica Graber touched first in 3:46.20. On the men’s side, the relay featuring Chase Kalisz, Tynan Stewart, Pace Clark, and Nic Fink took the top points with a time of 3:19.03.
Jordan Mattern won the 200 free for the Bulldogs (1:49.57), while Brittany MacLean (51.43) touched out Georgia teammate Olivia Boggs (51.48) in the 100 free. Georgia’s Michael Trice placed first in the 50 free on the men’s side (20.44).
Matias Koski swept the distance events for Georgia, winning the 1000 free (9:06.94) and touching first in the 500 free (4:26.65). Anna Neumeister, the only Bulldog swimmer in the 1000 free, won the event in 10:17.47. Hali Flickinger posted the top time (4:54.37) in the 500 free for the women.
Alec Cohen won the 200 IM for the Bulldogs (1:52.98) and teammate Will Freeman posted a 1:51.50 to win the 200 fly. Emory’s Eric Ruggieri took first in the 200 breast with a time of 2:08.11.
Emory took the top points in the closing 200 free relays. The women’s team of Claire Liu, Marissa Bergh, Dana Holt, and Suzanne Lemberg took first with a 1:37.62. On the men’s side, the team of Jake Stephens, Ryan Bass, David Tao, and Ross Spock won first place (1:23.57).
The Eagles put in a good effort against Georgia, with several swimmers posting NCAA Division III provisional qualifying times. Lizzie Aronoff won the 200 breast with a time of 2:21.41, with teammate Annelise Kowalsky (2:23.95) also qualifying. Jared Scheuer posted a provisional qualifying time of 1:53.01 in the 200 back, and the 400 medley relay team of Ellie Thompson, Annelise Kowalsky, McKenna Newsum-Schoenberg, and Nancy Larson qualified with a time of 3:53.11.
Last but certainly not least, a happy 22nd irthday goes out to Georgia’s Shannon Vreeland, who placed second in the 50 free with 23.62 and swam on the runner-up 400 free relay and on the 200 free relay that posted the fastest time of the day.
