Alabama Sweeps Georgia Tech

January 10. IT was senior day here at the Don Gambril Olympic Pool and the old folks of the Alabama Swimming and Diving teams showed that they still have what it takes in leading the Crimson Tide to a strong win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

“It was a good meet for us and a good way to send off our seniors in their last home meet of the season,” head coach Eric McIlquham said.

Alabama’s men won 141-100 while the women won with a 144-99 tally. Both UA squads go to 5-2-0 on the season.

Tide seniors claimed eight victories on the day, with diver Lane Bassham keeping her perfect season intact with a pair of victories while Ben Worby was part of both winning relays as well as pulling out wins in the two closest races of the day.

Alabama’s men started the meet out with a decisive win in the 400 medley relay. Junior Franck Southon, Worby, along with sophomores Chris Flamion and Darren Erasmus combined for a 3:23.25 finish. Worby also won the 200 IM, 1:51.98 and the 200 breaststroke, 2:05.84.

Senior James Willcox and freshman Igor Erhartic took first and second in the 200 freestyle, with Willcox posting a 1:41.49 for the win. Erasmus and senior Brendan Ashby went one-two in the 50 freestyle, with Erasmus touching at 21.02. Erasmus and Ashby also took first and second respectively in the 100 freestyle with Erasmus winning with a 45.59. Flamion posted a 1:52.97 to win the 200 butterfly while junior Franck Southon won the 200 backstroke with a 1:50.44.

Sophomore JT Jones won the 500 freestyle with a 4:36.35. Freshman Alan Harris took first in the one-meter diving event with a score of 290.85.

On the wome’s side of the slate, Bassham led an Alabama one-two-three sweep of the one-meter diving event, posting a score of 295.58. She also won the three-meter board, posting a 333.00. Sophomore Crystal Rasmussen, who was second off the one-meter, was also second off the three-meter.

Freshman Nicole Weatherman got Alabama on track by winning the first individual event of the day, the 1000 freestyle, posting a 10:08.86. She also won the 500 freestyle, turning in a 4:55.93. Weatherman’s times on the day rank her in Alabama’s all-time top-10 in both events. Rookies Amanda Gilbert and Tara Theilemann went one-two in the 200 freestyle, posting times of 1:52.15 and 1:53.04 respectively. Sophomore Anna Grant and freshman Kim Sharpe went one-two in the 200 IM with Grant posting the winning 2:08.11.

Junior Melina Bassino and Gilbert took first and second respectively with Bassino turning a 52.06 for the win. Bassino also won the 50 freestyle, touching at 24.31. Sophomore Kathryn Hallquist won the 200 backstroke with a 2:04.86. Bassino, Gilbert, Grant and senior Liz McGiffin combined to close out the meet by winning the 800 freestyle relay.

Alabama finishes out the regular season with a four-meet road swing that starts Friday, Jan. 23 against Florida State in Tallahassee

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