Clemson Swimming and Diving Falls To Nationally Ranked Florida State

Nov. 12, 2005

Clemson, SC- The Clemson men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams fell to Florida State Saturday at McHugh Natatorium. The women’s team lost to the #16 Seminoles 136-105. The Lady Tigers are now 0-4 on the year and 0-3 in the ACC. Kim Routh led the way by winning the 1000 free (10:18.61) and the 500 free (5:03.21) for the fourth consecutive meet. The men’s team was beaten by a final tally of 143-98 to drop to 2-2 on the season. Atilla Ruszka placed first in the 200 IM (1:52.73) and the 200 breast (2:04.02).

Combining with Routh in the distance events for the Lady Tigers was freshman Summer O’Donnell. She captured a second place in the 1000 (10:21.23) and a third place in the 500 freestyles (5:03.21). Fellow freshman Michelle Parkhurst won the 200 back (2:03.32) for the fourth straight meet. Cassy LaRussa was out touched in the 200 free (1:53.54), coming in just .2 behind the winner. LaRussa also claimed a second place in the 100 free (53.48).

Ashley Shafer swam her way to a second place finish in the 200 breast. Her time of 2:20.52 was the fastest of the season for Clemson. The all-freshman 400 free relay of Rachel Regone, LaRussa, Parkhurst, and Toni Kroll came in first to close out the meet for the Lady Tigers.

Ruszka teamed up with senior Jordan Raynovich to take first and second in the 200 IM. Raynovich finished with a time of 1:53.87. Mark Vahle claimed the only other individual event with for Clemson. He won the 50 free (20.74), and then anchored the winning 400 free relay team (3:04.15) with Steven Russell, Brian Regone, and Matt Balderston. Regone placed second in the 100 free (46.64), and junior Brett MacLennan also placed second in the 200 free (1:41.91).

Senior John Mengering was a force for Clemson in the distance events. He took second in the 1000 free (9:30.74), and third in the 500 free (4:34.55) as the top finisher for the Tigers. Sophomore Taylor Thompson captured third place in the 200 back with his season fastest time of 1:52.76.

Clemson Head Coach Chris Ip was disappointed with the loss. “I was disappointed with the team for not being ready. We have to be ready to go every time, especially in the ACC. The coaches and I will have to sit down and try and get these guys motivated more. We had some shining moments during the meet, but we need to have a total team effort. I thought that we looked a little sluggish. We will need to be ready for morning meets by the time we get to the ACC Championships.”

Clemson will travel to Chapel Hill, NC for the Nike Cup next weekend. The meet will be from November 17-19 at Koury Natatorium.