NCAA Div. I Men: Florida Downs LSU, 125-95

GAINESVILLE, FL., October 11. THE University of Florida men's swimming team opened its 2002-03 season with an impressive 129-95 win over Louisiana State
Friday at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center Natatorium.

The Gators all event with the exception of four, as they ran their record to 1-0.

Florida now owns a perfect 15-0 record against the Tigers in the schools' all-time series record. The Gators also improved to 71-10 in season-openers, including a 7-0 mark against the Tigers in season- opening dual meets.

"As a whole, I thought the entire meet went well," fourth-year Gator coach Gregg Troy said. "They swam better than we expected and it's a positive note for us to begin with."

Freshman Ryan Lochte (Daytona Beach, Fla.) had a terrific collegiate debut, winning two events. The newcomer started off his day by winning the 200 individual medley (1:51.40), and followed that with a victory in the 500 freestyle (4:31.03).

Another Gator who pulled off dual victories was junior Carlos Jayme (Goias, Brazil). Jayme, who recently won the 100 meter freestyle at the Brazilian Nationals/
World Championships Trials in Brasilia late last month, won the 100 freestyle in a fast early-season 44.13. Jayme grabbed a win earlier in the meet as he was victorious in the 50 free with a nation-leading 20.11.

Both times are good for NCAA provisional qualifying marks for the 2003 Championship.

"Ryan and Carlos started off strong," said Troy, who improved his record to 27-13 as men's coach. "I think swimming in the Brazilian Nationals is really going to pay off for Carlos, because he didn't look rusty. Ryan wasn't nervous at all and swam strong."

The Gators were victorious in the one relay event they competed in, as the team of Chris Kellam (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.), Ian Chadsey (Reston, Va.), Gabriel Mangabeira (Piratininga, Brazil) and Jayme won the 400-yard medley relay in 3:21.37.

On the diving side, Zach Wilcox (Yarrow Point, Wash.) got the Florida scoring started with a victory in the one-meter diving with a score of 323.77.

Other Gator winners included: Scott Kaufmann (Sparks, Nev.) in the 1,650 Free (15:40.86); Greg King (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) in the 200 Fly (1:53.22); and Kris Wiebeck (Tampa, Fla.) in the 200 Back (1:51.07).

Florida will be back in action next Friday, Oct. 18, at 3 p.m., when the Gators host Indian River Community College at the O'Connell Center Natatorium. The diving competition will begin at 2 p.m.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use