Georgia Opens Season with Sweep of North Carolina

Friday, October 22

Athens, Ga.

2:00 p.m.

University of Georgia

North Carolina

Photo by: Tony Walsh

October 22, 2021 | Swimming & Diving

Meet Results

ATHENS, Ga. – Competing before a home crowd for the first time since February 2020, the University of Georgia swimming and diving team opened the 2021-22 season with a decisive sweep of North Carolina Friday afternoon at Gabrielsen Natatorium.

The eighth-ranked Georgia women topped the No. 15 Tar Heels, 175-120, while the eighth-ranked Bulldog men prevailed over 21^st-ranked UNC by a 164.5-130.5 margin. Friday's result marked the third-consecutive season in which Georgia swept its opening opponent, following wins over Alabama in 2019 and South Carolina in 2020.

The Bulldogs were powered by several returning standouts, while also garnering wins from its strong freshman class. Six Bulldogs took first in multiple events, led by junior Zoie Hartman and sophomore Luca Urlando, who both picked up B-cuts in their wins. Hartman teamed with senior Danielle Della Torre to sweep the breaststroke events, while Urlando was joined by senior Andrew Abruzzo in earning a provisional time in the 200 butterfly. Abruzzo also notched a B-cut with his winning mark of 4:22.44 in the 500 freestyle.

Sophomore Jake Magahey and freshman Abby McCulloh proved their strength in the distance events as the pair swept the 500 and 1,000 freestyle. Senior Dakota Luther continued her dominance in the butterfly races, including a winning B-cut of 1:56.93 in the 200, while senior Gabi Fa'amausili won the the 100 freestyle at 49.77 and 100 backstroke at 54.43. Luther then joined Fa'amausil, Hartman, and sophomore Maxine Parker in winning the opening 200 medley relay with a time of 1:39.23.

On the men's side, the team of sophomore Wesley Ng, senior Harrison Wayner, Urlando, and junior Dillon Downing prevailed in its 200 medley with a time of 1:26.32. In other races, Downing took the 50 freestyle at 20.12, while fellow juniors Zach Hils (44.17) and Ian Grum (1:45.08) won the 100 freestyle and 200 backstroke respectively. Sophomore Wesley Ng opened his first full season with the Bulldogs with a winning B-cut of 47.56 in the 100 backstroke.

In the women's meet, freshman Duné Coetzee opened her Georgia career with a winning 1:47.52 in the 200 freestyle, followed by junior Millie Sansome, who earned her first dual win as a Bulldog with a time of 1:58.88 in the 200 backstroke.

At the diving well, freshman Nolan Lewis posted the top Georgia scores with fourth-place marks in both springboard events. In the women's competition, sophomore Meghan Wenzel earned the Bulldogs' top marks with third place finishes in each event.

Georgia continues its season-opening doubleheader as it plays host to SEC rival South Carolina on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Gabrielsen Natatorium. The meet is free for all spectators and will be streamed live on SEC Network+.

For all news and updates about Georgia swimming and diving, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter (@UGASwimDive), Instagram (@ugaswimdive), and Facebook (UGA Swimming and Diving).