Georgia Sweeps North Carolina (M: 167-133; W: 171-121)

ATHENS, Georgia, October 10. THE Georgia swimming and diving teams opened the 2007-08 season on Wednesday by sweeping North Carolina at Gabrielsen Natatorium.

The Bulldogs posted a 167-133 decision, while the Lady Bulldogs took a 171-121 victory.

On the men's side, the Bulldogs' veterans led the way as seniors Sebastien Rouault, Gil Stovall, Nathan Bibliowicz and Chris Colwill won two events apiece.

Rouault won the 1,000 freestyle with a time of 9:10.39 and he tied with teammate Troyden Prinsloo in winning the 500 free in 4:30.51. Stovall touched in 1:40.10 to win the 200 free and he had a time of 1:47.98 in claiming the 200 backstroke. Bibliowicz took top honors in the 100 free (45.32) and the 100 butterfly (49.53), while Colwill returned from a redshirt campaign to sweep the 1-meter (359.92) and 3-meter (428.93) springboards.

The Bulldogs also got wins from Mark Dylla in the 200 fly (1:49.49) and Craig Jennings in the 50 free (20.66). The 400 free relay team of Stovall, Bibliowicz, Jennings and Martin Kata won in 3:02.53, and the 200 medley relay team of Stovall, Bibliowicz, Joe Redmon and Jennings stopped the clock in 1:32.12.

"We got some great leadership from our veterans today," Georgia coach Jack Bauerle said. "We're really going to need those guys this year to set the tone for us."

Leading the way for the women freshmen was Courtney Monsees, who claimed the 100 and 200 free events in 50.88 and 1:49.17, respectively, posting an NCAA provisional qualifying time in each. Colleen Haase recorded a B-cut with a 2:16.66 effort in winning the 200 breaststroke. Chelsea Nauta took the top spot in the 1,000 free with a time of 9:48.54. Hannah Moore claimed the 3-meter springboard event with 276.15 points.

Aleksandra Putra also was a double winner for Georgia, taking the 100 back in 55.54 and the 200 back in 1:59.65, both B-cut times. Kelly McNichols had a B-cut of 1:02.69 to win the 100 breast. Elizabeth Hill went 2:01.10 (a B-cut) in winning the 200 fly, and Anna Miller claimed the 500 free with a B-cut time of 4:51.88. The 200 medley relay of Putra, McNichols, Lisa Caprioglio and Miller won in 1:42.92.

"Our women's team really did a heck of a job today," Bauerle said. "I am really proud of all of them. I think it showed that our freshmen will be a real source of strength for us."

Special thanks to Georgia for contributing this report.

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