Indian River CC, Florida Gulf Coast vs. Florida

GAINESVILLE, Florida, January 31. BOTH Florida swimming and diving programs sent their seniors out in winning fashion Saturday afternoon from the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. The No. 5 Gator women flew by both Indian River State College (87-20) and Florida Gulf Coast University (84-28), while the No. 8 men topped Indian River, 128-83, in the Orange and Blue's last home dual meet of the 2008-09 season.

Additionally, Florida Gulf Coast defeated Indian River, 90.5-20.5, as
part of the triangular women's match-up.

Prior to the start of the swimming and diving action, seniors Bradley
Ally, Jeana Bartell, Laurabeth Guenthner, Cody Kauffman, Aaron Leech,
Eric Shrestha, Jos Smith, Kelsy Smith, Rachel Sowers, Whitney Stern,
Scott Thompson, Rex Tullius and Lindsay Woodward accepted flowers, a
commemorative plaque and congratulations before swimming and diving in
their last meet at the O'Connell Center.

The Gators won every meet of the 26-event meet format. Highlighting the
day for the seniors, Jos Smith claimed the 200-yard free in 1:38.86,
while Kelsy Smith stole the spotlight in the women's 50-yard free,
clocking in at 24.03. Woodward took the top spot in the women's 200-yard
fly (2:03.35), while Tullius won the men's 100-yard free in 45.40.

Several underclassmen stepped it up for Florida to honor its seniors,
including Anna-Liisa Pold, who captured both the 400-yard IM (4:11.89)
and 200-yard back (1:55.77) events in NCAA provisional time in both.
Sophomore Brett Fraser placed first in the 200-yard back (1:49.54),
while freshman newcomer Jemma Lowe, who earned an automatic bid to the
NCAA meet in the 200 fly against Tennessee, took the top spot in the
500-yard free (4:54.35).

Freshman Robby Kennedy won the men's 200-yard breast (2:02.97), just
out-touching teammate Mike Joyce by a hundredth of a second (2:02.98),
and freshman Jose Crescimbeni notched the victory in the men's 200-yard
fly (1:46.65).

Kara Salamone secured wins on both the one and three-meter boards with
scores of 317.25 and 315.80, respectively, while Stern took second in
both the one and three-meter competitions. Bartell placed fourth on the
three-meter board, fifth in the one-meter competition and senior
counterpart Sowers took sixth and seventh on the one and three-meter
boards, respectively.

In men's diving action, freshman Anthony Lewark rallied for the victory
on both springboards, while Leech finished second on the three-meter
board (329.20) and fourth in the one-meter competition (305.65).

The Gators will remain idle until they head to the SEC Championship meet
Feb. 18-21 in Auburn, Ala.

Special thanks to Florida for contributing this report.

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