The women’s swim team celebrates after their 100th consecutive home win after a meet between Georgia and Wisconsin on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016, in Athens, Ga. (Photo by Emily Selby)
With the seniors starring in their final home meet, the No. 1-ranked Georgia women’s swimming and diving team earned its 100th consecutive victory at Gabrielsen Natatorium on Saturday.
The Lady Bulldogs dispatched No. 17 Wisconsin 172-123 to extend their Division I swimming and diving record that began Nov. 8, 1995. Georgia is 101-1 all-time in Gabrielsen Natatorium.
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“Winning 100 consecutive meets at home is a funny feeling,” said Georgia head coach Jack Bauerle. “I feel like I’ve seen part of my life flash before my eyes. It’s a little bit a feeling of relief, but mostly appreciation. It’s a big point of pride for our program and for Georgia athletics.”
The No. 4 Bulldogs also won on Saturday, knocking off the 17th-ranked Badgers 172-122.
The Lady Bulldogs improved to 9-0, their 14th undefeated season in school history, while the Bulldogs wound up at 8-1.
Prior to Saturday’s meet, the members of Georgia’s senior class were recognized. Brittany MacLean, Hali Flickinger and Annie Zhu transferred that energy to the pool with a combined seven individual wins.
MacLean won three freestyle races, taking the 200 in 1:48.15, the 500 in 4:47.37 and the 1,000 in 9:37.31. Flickinger won the 200 backstroke with a time of 1:56.18 and the 100 butterfly in 53.82. Zhu claimed the breaststroke races, the 100 in 1:02.96 and the 200 in 2:13.26.
Olivia Ball won both 1- and 3-meter diving with 299.85 and 333.30 points, respectively. Georgia’s other winners were Kylie Stewart in the 100 backstroke (53.89), Megan Kingsley in the 200 butterfly (1:57.16) and Emily Cameron in the 200 individual medley (2:00.29).
The Lady Bulldogs won the 200 medley relay as Olivia Smoliga, Cameron, Stewart and Meaghan Raab touched in 1:40.10. Smoliga, MacLean, Raab and Flickinger reached the wall first in the 400 freestyle relay in 3:20.36.
Ty Stewart, another senior, paced the Bulldogs with three wins. He took the 100 and 200 butterfly in 47.93 and 1:45.60, respectively, and the 200 individual medley in 1:46.98.
Taylor Dale swept the backstrokes, claiming the 100 in 47.55 and the 200 in 1:45.24.
The Bulldogs also got wins from Michael Trice in the 50 freestyle (20.00), John Mattern in the 100 breaststroke (55.86), Spencer Madanay on 3-meter springboard (335.10) and Ian Forlini on 1-meter springboard (337.43 points).
The 200 medley relay of Dale, Gunnar Bentz, Pace Clark and Trice won in 1:27.07. Matias Koski, Dale, Bentz and Trice also combined for a win in the 400 freestyle relay in 2:56.16.
Georgia will compete in the SEC Championship Feb. 16-20 in Columbia, Mo.