Friday, February 3, 2012

Depth key to swimming success

By on January 12, 2009

For 65 straight home meets, one thing has been constant for the Georgia women’s swim team.

It hasn’t lost.

Against Texas on Saturday, the No. 1 ranked women (6-0) defeated No. 3 Texas (5-1) 159-141.

“It’s been about 12 years since we have lost a home meet, which I think is currently the longest streak of all UGA sports for that category,” said head coach Jack Bauerle. “That streak and time span will continue into next season, as the Bulldogs will finish their final dual meets away.”

Georgia jumped off to a fast start in the individual races, with Wendy Trott and Kelsey Ditto capturing first and second place in the 1,000-yard freestyle with times of 9:38.80 and 9:39.05, respectively.

Bauerle said depth was a key to the Georgia women’s success.

“Out of 16 events, we lost nine and still won the meet, which basically means that we are a very deep team,” Bauerle said.

Georgia’s depth was most notable in the women’s breaststroke events. In the 100-yard breaststroke, Georgia women Colleen Haase (1:01.23) Michelle McKeehan (1:01.52), and Mhyria Miller (1:01.57) captured first through third place.

They were able to accomplish the same feat in the 200-yard breaststroke in a slightly different order: Miller (2:13.25), Haase (2:14.21), and McKeehan (2:15.74).

The No. 11 men (3-3), however, didn’t fare as well, falling to the top-ranked Texas men’s swimming team (5-0) 169-126.

Up next for both teams is Tennessee in Knoxville on Jan. 24.