Bulldogs Close Out Georgia Fall Invitational

Saturday, November 18

Athens, Ga.

9:30 a.m. (Prelims) | 5:30 p.m. (Finals)

University of Georgia

Georgia Invitational

November 18, 2023 | Swimming & Diving, Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving

Complete Results Photo Gallery

ATHENS, Ga. – Continued success from the distance group and senior diver Meghan Wenzel highlighted the final day of short course competition for the University of Georgia swimming and diving teams at the Georgia Fall Invitational at Bauerle Pool at Gabrielsen Natatorium.

After three days of action, the Georgia men finished third overall with 682 points, while the women's team placed fourth with 673 points. Florida finished first in both meets, with Auburn following in second in both. Over the course of the meet, seven pool records were set, including Ruard van Renen's 100-yard backstroke record last night.

The top performance of the day came in the women's 1,650y freestyle as the Bulldogs swept the top three spots. Junior Abby McCulloh earned an A-cut with her winning time of 15:51.93, followed by fellow junior Rachel Stege in second with a B-cut of 15:58.57, and Duné Coetzee in third with a PB of 15:59.18. Fifth-year Jillian Barczyk also finished eighth with a B-cut of 16:17.69. In the men's mile, senior Jake Magahey placed 10^th with a B-cut of 15:08.48.

In the closing 400y freestyle relays, both the men's and women's teams qualified for nationals with A-cut times. Junior Reese Branzell, fifth-year Zach Hils, freshman Tomas Koski, and graduate Bradley Dunham finished third at 2:50.06, the fifth-fastest time in program history. On the women's side, freshman Helena Jones, senior Sloane Reinstein, junior Briana Roberson, and fifth-year Zoie Hartman also placed third with a time of 3:13.77. Hartman earlier finished second in the 200y breaststroke with a season-best time of 2:08.79.

At the diving well, senior Meghan Wenzel notched her third top-three finish of the week as she placed third on platform with a Zone cut of 276.60, followed by sophomore Hannah Stumpf in 14^th at 211.20. In the men's competition, junior Allen Mann took sixth with a Zone cut of 337.75, while freshman Matthew Bray clinched his spot at Zones with a 10^th-place mark of 302.35.

The strongest outing of the night for the men's team came in the 200y backstroke as Dunham and fifth-year Ian Grum each posted A-cuts. Dunham finished third with a PB of 1:38.80, remaining second all-time in program history, while Grum won the consolation final with a season-best 1:44.41. Additionally, sophomore Sam Powe moved to fourth in school history with a personal-best B-cut of 1:39.96. In the 100y freestyle, Branzell turned in a third place PB of 41.92, climbing to second in program history.

Georgia, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Michigan, and Georgia Tech will return to Gabrielsen Natatorium tomorrow morning for a long-course time trials meet, beginning at 10 a.m. Admission is free for all spectators.