Gators Play Host to Texas A&M Friday

GAINESVILLE, Florida, November 1. THE University of Florida swimming and diving team will return home as they play host to Texas A&M Friday, November 2 at 4 p.m. in the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. It will be the third dual meet for both the men (2-0, 2-0 SEC) and the women (1-1, 1-1 SEC).

The meet will be the eighth time that the men have competed against each other and the second time for the women. Coming into the matchup, Florida's men are ranked No. 1 in the nation and the women are No. 11. Texas A&M's men (0-2, 0-1 SEC) are No. 21, while their women (3-0, 1-0 SEC) are No. 4.

The men are coming off of a strong weekend against SEC opponents Georgia and South Carolina as they won both dual meets. Junior Sebastien Rousseau (Cape Town, South Africa) is leading the team with nine victories so far on the season, seven individual and two relays. Rousseau was also named the SEC Male Swimmer of the Week for his performances against Georgia and South Carolina. He has the top SEC times in the 500 free, 200 fly and 400 IM.

Freshman Pawel Werner (Wroclaw, Poland) also earned SEC honors as he was named Male Freshman of the Week. Werner has accumulated six victories so far this season. Several other men have gotten off to a fast start this season, as junior Marcin Cieslak (Warsaw, Poland) has collected four individual victories and been a part of four relay wins. Sophomore Matt Elliott (Peoria, Ill.) also has eight victories on the season, four individual and four relay.

Florida's women split the meets, defeating South Carolina and falling to No. 2 Georgia. Two Gators have collected double-digit wins as freshman Natalie Hinds (Midland, Texas) has 12 (four individual and eight relay) and junior Elizabeth Beisel (North Kingstown, R.I.) has six individual wins and four relay victories to total 10.

Beisel has already earned NCAA “B” times in the 500 free, 100 back, 200 back, 200 breast, 200 fly, 200 IM and 400 IM. Hinds and fellow freshman Ashlee Linn (Southfield, Mich.) each swam NCAA “B” cut times as well. Junior Alicia Mathieu (Marlborough, Conn.) leads the Gators in the distance events, collecting wins in the 500 and 1000 free against South Carolina.

Admission to Friday's meet is free and fans are encouraged to park in the North Lot adjacent to the O'Connell Center, and enter through Gate 2. The first 250 fans receive a Florida Swimming and Diving Backpack and all fans from Swim and Dive receive free admission to the Florida Volleyball match following the Swim and Dive meet through Gate 2.

Gator fans are encouraged to follow the swimming and diving program via Twitter or Facebook. A complete recap of each day's events will be available on www.Gatorzone.com.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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