Freshmen lead swimming and diving teams past Davidson

Oct. 4, 2008

CLEMSON, SC – Christopher Ip and the Clemson men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams downed Davidson 186-99 on the men’s side and 196-103 on the women’s side. The win pushes the Tigers to 1-0 overall, as the Tigers hosted their 2008-09 season opener at McHugh Natatorium on Saturday afternoon.

“We were very excited to start our season today. We were able to get the freshmen in the water and find out how they reacted to college competition, and they obviously responded very well. Davidson did a great job of coming in and challenging us, and I was pleased with our performance today.”

With the win, the men evened up the all-time series record at 14-14, while the women moved to 7-0 against Davidson in program history.

The Tigers jumped out to a lead, winning both 200 medley relays. Fot the women, Rachel Sparks, Katrina Obas, Caitlin Seed touched in at 1:48.16. The men’s group of Jason Chatlosh, Josef Knecht, Harry Foster, and Myles Oliver took the win in 1:35.99.

Senior Michelle Parkhurst took the win in the 1000 free with Lauren Cranston making her Tiger debut in second, while freshman David Gordon combined to go 1-2 on the men’s side.

Rachel Regone won the women’s 200 free (1:54.83), while freshman Lee Groseclose (1:44.17) won on the men’s side by nearly two seconds.

Freshman Jason Chatlosh on the men’s side for his first career victory.

The Tigers’ group of Summer O’Donnell, and Lauren Sindall took the top three spots in the 100 breast. Chris Dart won his first career race, the 100 breast, for the men. Freshman Sarah Bechard won both the 100 and 200 butterfly in her first career race.

Tom Recko, Knecht, and Caitlin Seed edged Davidson’s Lindsey Martin in the 50 free by 0.04 seconds. Myles Oliver won the 50 free in 21.75, only 0.14 ahead of teammate Seth Broster, also a freshman.

On the boards, freshman Brooke George won both the one and three meter events on the women’s side, with Cassie Self taking second in both events and Stepahnie Fura taking third. On the men’s side, David Giambra turned in one of his best all-around efforts in his career, with a NCAA Zone Qualifying score and career best of 305.70 on the one-meter boards. The score was the third best effort in Clemson history. He also won the three-meter event with a 294.83.

Wildcat sophomore Lindsey Martin won the 100 free, with Clemson taking second through fifth, led by senior Alex Allen. Seth Broster picked up his first career win in the 100 free, touching in a 47.49. Three other freshmen combined to take third through fifth.

Lennon won her second race of the day, the 200 back, while Summer O’Donnell pulled out a win in the 200 breast. Mandy Snell by 0.04 seconds.

The Tigers will return to action on Friday evening, as they host ACC foe Georgia Tech at 5:00 pm at McHugh Natatorium for a designated Solid Orange event.