Carolina Classic Wraps Up In Columbia

COLUMBIA, S.C., December 15. THIS weekend Team Carolina hosted the Carolina Classic at the University of South Carolina Aquatic Center. University of South Carolina swimmers swam side by side with local and regional club teams in this three day invite.

On the men's side, senior Ed Murphy led the way with a second place finish and a time of 23.80 in the 50 meter free, good enough to also qualify for the US Senior Nationals. Reid Duff placed fourth (24.60), Colby Mack took fifthplace (24.90), Josh Parkin was sixth (24.94), Matt Burkhard placed seventh (25.02) and Adam Bastak was ninth(25.17).

On the women's side, senior Ashleigh Bastak won the 50 free with a time of 27.03, a qualifying time for the US Senior Nationals. Also making the semifinals was Carolynn McHugh (third; 27.28), Aunya Nance(fourth; 27.91), Kaelon May (eighth; 28.80) and Bennett Andrews (ninth; 28.82).

In other events on the first day, McHugh also competed in the 200 meter individual medley final and placed third with a time of 2:28.51. Also competing in the 200 IM with McHugh was freshman Kendel Fiorentino, who finished seventh with a time of 2:30.56. The men's individual medley featured sophomore Justin Kata, who placed eighth (2:18.46) and freshman Sean Condon, who earned 10th place (2:19.67).

Carolina also competed in the final event of the night, the 400 meter freestyle. Freshman Meredith Rukaled scored with a sixth place finish (4:35.72) on the women's side with Colby Mack placing fourth (4:09.02)on the men's side.

Mike Farrington earned two first place finishes in the 200m breaststroke (2:27.15) and the 400 individual medley (4:41.22). First place finishers on the women's side were junior Carolyn McHugh in the 100 butterfly (1:04.19) and freshman Meredith Ruka in the 400individual medley (5:02.78).

The 100 butterfly on the women's side featured three Gamecocks in the top three. After McHugh was junior Amy Hartland, who finished in second place (1:06.14) and freshman Kendel Fiorentino, who placed third (1:06.55).

Fiorentino also placed second in the 200 breaststroke (2:45.40) with freshman Aunya Nance also competing in the championship final and taking sixth place (2:49.78). The women's 200m freestyle also featured three Gamecocks in the finals with Bronwyn Dedekind in third place (2:08.24), Kaleon May fourth (2:10.09) and Bennett Andrews fifth (2:12.32).

Right behind Mike Farrington in the 200 breaststroke was sophomore Justin Kata, who took second place with a time of 2:28.71. Mike's brother, Tim Farrington, placed third in the 400 individual medley with a time of 4:48.19.

Other finalists for the men's squad were Reid Duff in the 200 freestyle, with a fifth place finish in a time of 1:58.66. In the 100 butterfly, Lir Derieg placed third (56.78) and Joshua Parkin finished fourth (57.32).

Ed Murphy, who won the 50 free, also took top honors in the 100 with a time of 52.63.

Also earning first place on the men's squad was sophomore Justin Kata in the 100 breaststroke. Kata finished in a time of 1:08.48. Sophomore Reid Duff finished in second right behind Murphy in both the 50 freestyle (24.46) and 100 freestyle (53.21).

Freshman Matt Burkhard also swam in the finals of the 50 freestyle (fourth, 25.18) and 100 freestyle (fifth, 55.35). Adam Bastak was fifth in the 50 freestyle (25.26), Jim Lillard was sixth in the 200 butterfly (2:19.32), Mike Farrington fourth in the 1500 freestyle (16:37.44) and Tim Farrington fifth in the 1500 free (16:45.01).

The women's team featured two top place finishers. Senior Bronwyn Dedekind went 2:21.96 to win the 200 meter butterfly. Right behind her in second place was freshman Meredith Ruka (2:22.44), fourth place Amy Hartland (2:27.95) and sixth place Meagan Johnson (2:33.64).

Junior Carolynn McHugh won the 50 freestyle with a time of 26.58 with senior Ashleigh Bastak taking third (27.11) and freshman Aunya Nance in sixth place (28.21).

The 100 freestyle featured senior Jennifer VanAssen who finished second (58.19), junior Heather Skaggs who placed fourth (1:00.62) and McHugh who placed sixth (1:01.72).

The 800 freestyle featured a second place finish from Ruka (9:17.07) and the 100 breaststroke featured Nance (second, 1:17.66) and freshman Kendel Fiorentino (1:19.77).

For Complete Meet Results: http://sportstiming.com/results/2003/12-12-03-TC/Live/

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