Swimming and Diving Hosts South Carolina on Saturday

Nov. 1, 2007

The Clemson men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams will host the South Carolina swimming and diving team for a meet at 2:00p.m. on Saturday at McHugh Natatorium. The meet is designated as a Solid Orange event and the first 200 fans in attendance will receive a Solid Orange t-shirt.

The men’s team (4-1, 3-1 ACC) will look to rebound from a loss at #12 Virginia over the weekend as they take on a South Carolina squad (0-4, 0-3 SEC) that is coming off losses at #11 Tennessee and Kentucky. The Gamecocks lead the all-time series 36-29-1 that dates back to 1923. The Tigers took the 2006-07 installment 150-148, the closest meet for the Tigers since a 122.5-120.5 win against South Carolina on 11/11/2001.

Senior Captain Matt Balderston set career bests in the 50 free and 100 free against the Cavaliers. Teammate Attila Ruszka won the 100 breast for the Tigers and sophomore David Giambra won the 1-meter diving event. Senior Mark Vahle also took his third 50 free win in as many tries.

The women’s squad (1-4, 1-3 ACC) lost to #19 Virginia last weekend, and have dropped three meets this season to ranked opponents. The South Carolina women have an identical record to that of the men’s team, at 0-4 overall, 0-3 SEC, with a loss at #12 Tennessee this past weekend. The Tigers will look to close the 17-14 all-time gap with South Carolina. Last season, the Tigers won 154-145, their closest meet of the season.

The Tigers are led by junior captain Rachel Regone, who made an NCAA B Standard in the 50 free at 23.13 against Virginia. She is undefeated in the 50 free this season, with three of the wins against ranked squads. Junior Michelle Parkurst also returns to action this weekend and sophomore Katrina Obas will lead the Tigers in the breast an IM events, after two top-three finishes in Virginia. Stephanie Fura and Danielle Kazilionis combined to win the one and three-meter diving events against UVA, respectively.

After the meet against the Gamecocks, the Tigers will host the Savannah College of Art and Design on Fri., Nov. 9 at 5 p.m.