University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Gamecock Invitational Finals
UNC Off To A Quick Start In Gamecock Invite
November 19, 2009 | Swimming & Diving
Nov. 19, 2009
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - oth Tar Heel men and women's swimming teams finished day one in the Gamecock Invitational with an impressive lead. The Tar Heels are competing against nine other schools in the three-day meet in Colombia, South Carolina.
"This kind of competition and setting in the fall is something we aim for and try to focus on. It is a great rehearsal for the ACC and NCAA Championships. To get ready for a possible thirteen swims over three days takes conditioning, courage, focus and resilience," said head coach Rich DeSelm.
"This is a good meet to get swims at night. We are not really rested and did not prepare in any special way. So to swim well this morning and even better tonight is very encouraging," said DeSelm.
The men and women's teams were off to a fast start taking first in both 200-yard freestyle relays.
The Heels distance swimmers represented well in the 500-yard freestyle placing three women in the top eight and four men. Junior Katura Harvey took second place with a season best time of 4:47.75 that is also an NCAA "B" qualifying time. Junior Tyler Harris got the victory on the men's side after swimming the 500 for the first time this season. Harris also received a NCAA "B" qualifying time with a 4:26.57.
The 200-yard Individual Medley was another strong event for the women. The Tar Heels placed five girls in the top eight led by Sophomore Layne Brodie in a time of 2:03.00, her season best time. Brodie was followed in third by Senior Alison Clemens and fourth by Sophomore Sarah Tanner. Sophomore Marie Pesacreta and Freshman Rebecca Brooks placed fifth and eighth, respectively.
Sophomore Steve Cebertowicz sprinted to first place in the 50-yard freestyle in a time of 20.83, followed closely in third by Junior Tommy Wyher. The Heels finished out the session with the 400-yard medley relay where both the men and women took first and third place.
"Traditionally we are stronger on the last day with the 200s of the strokes, but we are becoming a more well rounded team with our strong sprinters and divers. I am curious to see how we do these next two days. It is hard to determine which day will be our strongest, but it is something to be excited about," said DeSelm.
The Tar Heels will compete again in the morning for prelims that begin at 10 a.m.
Individual Event Winners
Women's 200-yard freestyle relay: UNC (A) 1:33.58
Men's 200-yard freestyle relay: UNC (A) 1:22.77
Women's 500-yard freestyle: Ashley Twichell (Duke) 4:47.68
Men's 500-yard freestyle: Tyler Harris (UNC) 4:26.57
Women's 200-yard IM: Layne Brodie (UNC) 2:03.00
Men's 200-yard IM: Randy Buchanan (C of C) 1:48.87
Women's 50-yard freestyle: Sharntelle McLean (USC) 23.11
Men's 50-yard freestyle: Steve Cebertowicz (UNC) 20.83
Women's 400-yard medley relay: UNC (A) 3:45.50
Men's 400-yard medley relay: UNC (A) 3:20.98
Players Mentioned
