Georgia Rebounds with Sweep of Auburn

Friday, November 5

Auburn, Ala.

12 p.m.

University of Georgia

Auburn

Photo by: Tony Walsh

November 05, 2021 | Swimming & Diving

Results

AUBURN, Ala. – Highlighted by a late comeback by the men's team, the eighth-ranked University of Georgia swimming and diving team swept rival Auburn Friday afternoon at the James E. Martin Aquatic Center. The men's team (3-1, 2-1 SEC) used strong performances in the 200 IM and 400 freestyle relay to overtake the Tigers, 159-141, while the women's team (3-1, 2-1 SEC) bested the 23^rd-ranked Auburn women, 178-122.

Sophomore Luca Urlando continued his dominant start with four victories, including a season-best time of 46.13 in the 100 backstroke that ranks second nationally. Urlando also led the clinching 400 freestyle relay with an opening split of 43.22, earning a B-cut via Georgia's top 100 freestyle this season. Fellow SEC Swimmer of the Week Zoie Hartman also earned four wins, remaining unbeaten in the breaststroke events this season.

After sweeping the opening 200 medley relays, freshman Abby McCulloh and sophomore Jake Magahey remained dominant in the distance events. McCulloh set a new season-best time of 9:45.83 in the 1,000 freestyle, the third-fastest time in the nation this season. Magahey then prevailed in both the 500 (4:20.45) and 1,000 (8:57.69). In the sprints, senior Gabi Fa'amausili took first in both the 50 and 100 freestyle, earning B-cuts in both events, while Dillon Downing took the 50.

Along with Urlando, the Bulldogs were outstanding in the butterfly as senior Dakota Luther remained unbeaten this season with a pair of wins, including a season-best 1:56.65 in the 200. Luther's commanding 200 win was followed by senior Andrew Abruzzo's equally dominant 1:46.12 in the men's event, with both swimmers winning by four seconds. Abruzzo also finished second in the 500 freestyle and 200 butterfly, with junior Zach Hils taking the 200 IM. In other wins, junior Ian Grum was victorious in the 200 backstroke and sophomore Sloane Reinstein won the 200 freestyle.

At the diving well, Georgia posted its strongest performance of the season, with sophomore Meghan Wenzel earning the Bulldogs' first win with a Zone-qualifying score of 273.30. Wenzel also earned a Zone cut with a second-place mark of 301.20 in the 3-meter. On the men's side, freshman Nolan Lewis qualified for Zones on the 1-meter with a second-place score of 310.35.

Georgia now turns its attention to the upcoming Georgia Tech Invitational, running Wednesday, Nov. 18 through Friday, Nov. 20 at the McCauley Aquatic Center in Atlanta, the site of this season's NCAA Championships.

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