Florida Sweeps Florida State; Atkinson Clocks 9:34 1000 yard Free

Nov. 16. THE No. 8 Florida women's swimming and diving team moved to a 31-0 all-time mark over No. 25 Florida State as they defeated the Seminoles 172-120 at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center Natatorium Friday, Nov. 16.

The No. 11 men's team also took out the 'Noles without difficulty, 169-119.

The Lady Gators won 26 top-three finishes en route to their eighth win of the season and a still unblemished season. Sophomore Janelle Atkinson (Jamaica) scored one of the biggest wins of the night in the 1000-yard freestyle taking the event by more than 38 seconds in an eye-popping 9:34.85.

The Lady Gators had nine events in which they scored at least a one-two punch in taking first and second places. The 200-yard freestyle was just such an event, with junior Diane Tennison (Lafayette, La.) taking the gold (1:51.24). Following Tennison was junior Anna Chapman (St. Simons Island, Ga.) in second (1:51.37) and sophomore Sara McLarty (DeLand, Fla.) in third (1:51.75).

The men's team mirrored the women's with 26 top-three finishes. Their first win came from the diving team in freshman Zach Wilcox (Yarrow Point, Wash.) who took the one-meter springboard event (306.08). The men's biggest victory also came in the 1000-yd. free as they took all four of the top spots. Freshman Jan Wolfgarten (Frankfurt, Germany) won the event (9:34.22) over junior Matt Yacco (Fairfield, Conn.) (9:34.32). Taking third was freshman Scott Kaufmann (Sparks, Nev.) (9:35.92) followed by freshman Steve Friedlander (Coral Springs, Fla.) (9:40.68), whose score was exhibitioned.

"It was a strong team effort all the way around," head coach Gregg Troy said. "It was a good meet for the team. They have been a little frustrated with their performances these last couple of weeks and they finally stepped up and raced real well. We had one really amazing swim in the 1000 freestyle finish of Janelle's [Atkinson]. If she continues on that pace, she can beat the school record in the 1650-yard freestyle."

The Gators will now take a break until Nov. 29 when they travel to Long Island, N.Y. for the U.S. Open. The tournament will last through Dec. 2 which will be followed by a month long break for both teams. They return home on Saturday, Jan. 5 when they take on Penn State for the first time in school history at 1 p.m.

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