SEC Meet of the Week: Georgia Continues to Roll

during the Bulldogs' swim meet against Florida at Gabrielsen Natatorium in Athens, Ga., on October 28, 2016. (Photo by Cory A. Cole)

Georgia's Olivia Smoliga. Photo Courtesy: Cory A. Cole

By Dan D’Addona.

The Georgia Bulldogs opened rivalry week by facing Georgia Tech. Not surprisingly, the Bulldogs swept the Yellow Jackets.

But Georgia then turned around and swept Wisconsin, too.

Neither victory was a surprise, but it was an encouraging week for the Bulldogs to see how they could respond to having to important meets within a matter of a couple of days.

The Olympians were at the forefront of the Georgia success as Gunnar Bentz, Chase Kalisz and Olivia Smoliga had particularly strong weeks for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs are ranked No. 7 and No. 8 but both teams believe they are on the path to contending for a national championship, and this week did nothing but help.

Here is a look at what happened:

The No. 7 Bulldogs outscored the Yellow Jackets 187.5-110.5 in the men’s meet, while the No. 8 Georgia women won189-109 as both teams improved to 3-0.

Bentz led the Bulldogs with three individual victories, winning the 200-yard individual medley (1:48.39), the 100 butterfly (48.11) and the 200 butterfly (1:45.93). It was a strong performance, especially in a rivalry meet against another ranked opponent.

Kalisz won the 100 and 200 breaststroke events in 53.85 and 1:55.69, respectively. Javier Acevedo won the 50 freestyle in 20.69 and the 200 backstroke (1:47.36).

Pace Clark, the reigning SEC Swimmer of the Week, the 500 freestyle in 4:31.28. Jay Litherland won the 1,000-yard freestyle in 9:12.69 and Taylor Dale won the 100 backstroke (47.74).

In diving, Ian Forlini claimed the top spot on the 3-meter, posting a score of 367.88, while Charlie Clifton won the 1-meter with a score of 339.53.

In the women’s meet, Megan Kingsley won the 200 butterfly (1:56.57) and 200 backstroke (1:59.44). Meryn McCann won the 500 freestyle (4:50.41) and 1,000 freestyle (10:04.61).

Meaghan Raab, the SEC Female Swimmer of the Week, continued her success by winning the 100 breaststroke in 1:03.72. Smoliga won the 50 freestyle in 23.09 and Chantal Van Landeghem won the 100 freestyle (49.67).

Emily Cameron won the 200 breaststroke in 2:16.01, while Chelsea Britt won the 100 butterfly in 54.72. Katherine Parker won the 100 backstroke (55.98) and Veronica Burchill won the 200 individual medley in 2:04.29.

Madison Duvall posted a 342.00 to win the 3-meter dive and SEC Diver of the Week McKensi Austin took the top spot on the 1-meter with a score of 289.65.

Georgia sweeps Wisconsin

The Georgia women defeated Wisconsin 204.5-143.5 and the men won 202-146 for a Bulldog sweep.

Smoliga won the 100 backstroke in 54.03 and the 100 freestyle (48.47), picking up right where she left off last year. Meaghan Raab won the 200 freestyle (1:46.17).

Stephanie Peters won the 1,000 freestyle in 9:44.57, while Chelsea Britt won the 200 butterfly in 1:59.64.

SEC Diver of the Week McKensi Austin won the 3-meter springboard, posting a score of 302.78.

On the men’s side, Kalisz continued his streak of dominance in the 100 breaststroke, winning the event in 55.11. The Olympian also took the win in the 400 individual medley by posting the fastest time of the year in the event (3:41.49).

Jay Litherland took the top spot in the 200 freestyle in 1:36.47 and Taylor Dale won the 100 backstroke in 48.03. SEC Male Swimmer of the Week Pace Clark remained undefeated on the season in the 200 butterfly, taking the top spot in the event in 1:46.10. Bentz won the 200 breaststroke (2:03.54).

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