SWIMMING & DIVING: Coaches Poll has Lady Bulldogs No. 1

Home >

SWIMMING & DIVING: Coaches Poll has Lady Bulldogs No. 1


Hali Flickinger, of Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, swims the backstroke while competing in the Women’s 200 yard backstroke during the Georgia Fall Swimming and Diving Invitational in Athens, Georgia on December 6, 2015.
(Photo: Emily Selby)
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Georgia women’s swimming and diving team moved to the top of the College Swimming Coaches Association of America/TYR Top 25 poll for the first time this year on Thursday after receiving nine of the 10 first-place votes.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Lady Bulldogs previously were ranked No. 2, eclipsing Virginia for the top spot.
[su_spacer size=”40″] “The No. 1 ranking is a compliment to our ladies and how they go about their business,” Georgia head coach Jack Bauerle said. “We are proud of what this team is doing, and it means a great deal that others are recognizing our accomplishments.”
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Lady Bulldogs are undefeated at 7-0 on the season, most recently posting back-to-back road wins against Texas A&M and Texas, then ranked No. 5 and No. 6, respectively.
[su_spacer size=”40″] “What’s important to us right now, however, is to zero in on our last couple of dual meets and continue to trend upward as the SEC and NCAAs approach,” Bauerle said. “Our preparation and competitive spirit have to be at an all-time high over the next several weeks.”
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Georgia men (6-1) were ranked No. 3 in the previous poll in December. New rankings are due out next week.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia’s teams will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 23, against Tennessee at Gabrielsen Natatorium. The meet will begin with diving at 11 a.m., followed by swimming at noon. The SEC Network will air the meet on Sunday, Jan. 24, at 8 p.m. The Lady Bulldogs will be aiming for the program’s 100th victory at home. They are 99-1 since Gabrielsen Natatorium opened in 1995.
[su_spacer size=”40″] • In other swimming and diving news, Hali Flickinger was named the National Female Swimmer of the Week, Brittany MacLean was chosen as the SEC Female Swimmer of the Week and Taylor Dale earned SEC Male Swimmer of the Week honors from CollegeSwimming.com for their efforts in the Texas A&M and Texas meets. Flickinger previously was chosen as the SEC Female Swimmer of the Week by the league office after winning six events and swimming on two victorious relays. MacLean won five events and two relays, while Dale won two events and four relays.
[su_spacer size=”60″]

share content

Author /

Greg is closing in on 15 years writing about and photographing UGA sports. While often wrong and/or out of focus, it has been a long, strange trip full of fun and new friends.