Clemson Swimming & Diving Falls To Nationally Ranked North Carolina

Jan. 13, 2007

Clemson, SC- The Clemson Swimming & Diving teams both lost their first ACC meet of the new year Saturday from McHugh Natatorium as they fell to North Carolina. The men’s team matched up well with the #22 Tar Heels and were aided by three event wins by Attila Ruszka, but couldn’t pull out a victory as they lost 140.5-159.5. They are now 7-3 (2-3 ACC) on the year, and North Carolina moved to 2-2 (2-0 ACC). On the women’s side, Clemson fell to 8-5 (2-4 ACC) on the year with a 89-210 decision.

The Lady Tigers started the meet off by claiming first place in the 200 medley relay. The team of Michelle Parkhurst, Alexandra Barsanti, Jen Grove, and Rachel Regone took the win with a time of 1:46.17. In the next event, the 1000 freestyle, the tandem of Cassy LaRussa (10:12.23) and Summer O’Donnell (10:15.69) placed second and third. Parkhurst scored her second victory of the day in the 200 freestyle as she touched the wall with a time of 1:51.16. Barsanti (1:05.33) was the top Lady Tiger in the 100 breaststroke, as she posted a second place finish. Regone (23.80) swam to her second win of the afternoon as she placed first in the 50 freestyle. Sophomore Lauren Sindall (24.24) and senior Kallie Deters (24.36) finished fourth and fifth in the event. Regone struck again in the 100 freestyle by placing second, just getting out-touched by .01. Katrina Obas (2:22.77) recorded a third place finish for Clemson in the 200 breaststroke. Danielle Kazilionis led the Lady Tigers on the diving boards as she took second on the one-meter (257.25), and fourth on the three-meter (252.30).

On the men’s side, the 200 medley relay of Attila Ruszka (56.81) and Andy Bergren (58.17) claimed the top two spots in the event. MacLennan (1:00.19) chipped in with a fourth place finish in the event. Brian Regone (21.58) placed first, third and fourth in the 50 freestyle, respectively. Ruszka (2:06.42), MacLennan (2:07.52), and Bergren (2:08.59) finished with the top three times in the 200 breaststroke for Clemson. Freshman Matt Angelini (4:38.39) led the field for the first six laps of the 500 freestyle, and held on for a third place finish. Vahle (50.69) claimed his third win of the day in the 100 butterfly, and was followed by Ruszka’s third victory of the day in the 200 IM. In the final event of the meet, the team of MacLennan, Balderston, Bryce Herrington, and Fekete finished first with a time of 3:06.76. They were followed by the team of Regone, Stephen Russell, Adam Farnham, and Vahle who placed second.

Clemson will take a week off and then be back in action with another home ACC meet. Both Tiger teams will take on N.C. State on January 27 from McHugh Natatorium.