University of Georgia Athletics
October 21, 2011 | Swimming & Diving
Oct. 21, 2011
ATHENS, Ga. --- The Georgia swimming and diving teams will entertain North Carolina on Saturday in their second dual meet of the year.
Saturday's meet will begin at 1 p.m. Admission is free to Gabrielsen Natatorium inside the Ramsey Center.
The Lady Bulldogs will be attempting to win their 75th consecutive dual/tri meet at Gabrielsen Natatorium. Georgia's streak began with a win over Emory on Nov. 8, 1995 — when the Lady Bulldogs' current freshmen were about two years old. All-time, Georgia is 75-1 in its home pool. The longest home winning streak in school history belongs to the men's tennis team, which won 76 in a row between 1968 and 1972 under Coach Dan Magill (a swimming letterman from 1940-42 and the namesake of Coach Jack Bauerle's son).
"The 75th straight win would be such an accomplishment because it goes to show what a legacy teams before us laid out," senior Lauren English said. "The freshmen are still new to all this, but it is all but impossible not to catch on. The seniors are trying to show them that, exactly what it means to be a Bulldog. If we can get this 75th straight win, it would be just a steppingstone to the team's larger goals at the end of the season."
The Lady Bulldogs own a 20-1 overall mark in the series with the Tar Heels. North Carolina won the first meeting in 1977 but has not claimed a victory since. The Bulldogs are 17-12 in their series with the Tar Heels. North Carolina is on a two-year winning streak after the Bulldogs won the previous four in a row.
"We expect each meet to be very close," Bauerle said. "Rich (DeSelm, North Carolina's head coach) does a great job and they are always prepared to swim fast. They always swim us really, really tough in the fall. This will be a real challenge for both of our teams. Our kids are excited about this meet. We've had some great competitions in the past with North Carolina, and there's no reason to think these won't rank up there too."
Georgia's squads opened the 2011-12 campaign with victories against Georgia Tech last Friday. North Carolina will compete against Georgia Tech in Atlanta on Friday before taking on Georgia on Saturday. North Carolina swept East Carolina in its first dual meet of the year.
Last Friday, the Bulldogs defeated Georgia Tech 152-87, while the Lady Bulldogs posted a 141-91 decision. Andrew Gemmell was a triple winner for the Bulldogs as he claimed the 1,000 freestyle in 9:12.79, the 400 individual medley in 3:58.57 and the 500 freestyle in 4:29.70. Jared Markham made his Georgia debut a successful one by winning the 200 backstroke in 1:50.37 and finishing second in the 400 individual medley with a time of 4:00.22. Markham also swam the second leg of the 400 freestyle relay that had the meet's best time of 3:05.99. For his efforts, he earned Southeastern Conference Male Freshman of the Week honors. Kelsey Gaid won twice for the Lady Bulldogs. She took the 200 backstroke in 1:59.31 and the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:50.96.
Georgia will open Southeastern Conference competition next Friday when it visits Florida in Gainesville. The meet will begin at 9:45 a.m. and will serve as a precursor to the Georgia-Florida football game in Jacksonville.
