WRITTEN BY SHARON ROBB
January 22, 2011
University of Miami women’s swim team won thirteen events, including six by seniors, in its final home meet of the season.
The Hurricanes celebrated Seniors Day in style with a 197-94 victory over Florida Atlantic University at the Norman A. Whitten University Center Pool in Coral Gables.
On a rain-soaked Friday, the Hurricanes improved to 7-1 after honoring seniors Alicia Casillas, Lauren Jacoby, Ryann Labreche, Deidre Novotny, Annika Saarnak and Brittany Viola.
SOFLO’s Dana Hatic finished second twice in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:05.51) and 200-yard breaststroke in 2:25.02. The Hurricanes swept all three top spots in the 200-yard breaststroke.
“This is a sad day for me with my first recruiting class leaving but I am glad we were able to send them out with a win,” said UM coach Christie Shefchunas.
“It’s really been special to see all of these girls develop and become that much better in this program.
“The win gives us momentum heading into the ACC’s,” Shefchunas said. “The girls performed well and we will use this moving forward. I really think heading into ACC’s that we can do some great things.”
The Hurricanes will not return to action until the Feb. 16-19 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships in Atlanta.
Auburn Knocks Off Gators
The good news was that University of Florida turned in two dozen NCAA provisional times and season-best times in eight events.
The bad news was the Gators men’s and women’s teams lost to Auburn on the road.
The No. 5-nationally ranked men’s team (4-3 overall, 2-1 SEC) lost 167-133 and No. 6 women’s team (4-4, 0-2) lost 165-135.
Auburn is ranked sixth among men’s teams and No. 12 among women’s teams in the national rankings. It was the Gators men’s first SEC loss since 2009 and women’s first loss since 2007.
“It was a great win for the team and I am really proud of how the squad raced today,” Auburn coach Brett Hawke said. “We have a lot of work left to do to be ready for the championship season. We gained a lot of confidence with the win today.”
The Gators return home to host Tennessee on Jan. 29. It will be the Gators’ Seniors Day.
SOFLO’s Kuczynski Finishes Second Against Cal-Berkeley
Caroline Kuczynski of Arizona State placed second in the 200-yard butterfly in a meet won by No. 4-nationally-ranked Cal-Berkeley, 182-117.
Kuczynski, 19, finished in 1:30.24 behind Cal-Berkeley’s Caitlin Leverenz, 19, in 1:28.44. Leverenz, an Arizona native, won three events. Cal won 11 of 16 events.
Kuczynski was also third in the 100-yard butterfly in 55.21 and fifth in the 400-yard individual medley in 4:26.91.
SOFLO’s Bandy Contributes To West Virginia’s Big Win
Kyle Bandy of West Virginia finished fourth in the 200-yard butterfly in 1:54.49 and sixth in the 100-yard butterfly in 52.37 as WVU defeated University of Maryland, 213-87 in Morgantown, W.Va.
Bandy, 19, was a member of WVU’s fifth place 200-yard medley relay that finished in 1:36.62 and fifth place 200-yard freestyle relay that finished in 1:28.08.
“With this being the last meet for the men, on paper, we were prepared for a close competition,” said WVU coach Vic Riggs. “I’m proud of how the men swam their races today winning all of the events.”
The meet was the final one before the Big East Championships for the men.
Sharon Robb can be reached at sha11cats@aol.com
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