No. 7/11 Georgia Sweeps Emory on Senior Day

Saturday, February 1

Athens, Ga.

11 a.m.

University of Georgia

198

Emory

Photo by: Conor Dillon/UGAAA

February 01, 2025 | Swimming & Diving, Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving

Results Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

Men: No. 7 Georgia (5-3, 2-2 SEC) 198, Emory (3-3) 80
Women: No. 11 Georgia (5-4, 2-3 SEC) 191, Emory (3-2-1) 102

ATHENS, Ga. – The University of Georgia swimming and diving teams cruised to victory over Emory on Senior Day Saturday at Bauerle Pool at Gabrielsen Natatorium. Prior to the meet, 30 members of the Georgia senior class were recognized for their contributions to the program.

Fast Facts

After setting a new American Record last week, redshirt senior Luca Urlando continued to make history Saturday, setting a new pool record in the 200-yard backstroke with a personal-best A-cut of 1:38.18, the third-fastest time in program history. Urlando broke the previous mark set by California's Ryan Murphy (1:38.35) at the 2015 UGA Fall Invitational. The reigning SEC Men's Swimmer of the Week also took first in the 200y IM (1:42.20) and the first 50y individual freestyle of his career (19.34).
Urlando also joined teammates Kristian Pitshugin, Wesley Ng, and Reese Branzell to earn an A-cut of 1:23.55 in the 200y medley relay, the fifth-fastest time in program history.
In the 200y freestyle, sophomore Helena Jones touched first with a season-best B-cut of 1:45.80, while graduate Jake Magahey nearly eclipsed his season best with a winning B-cut of 1:33.05. Jones later won the 100y freestyle with a B-cut of 48.89. Freshman Katie Belle Sikes took the 50y freestyle with a B-cut of 22.28.
Junior Ieva Maluka further demonstrated her range with two wins, first taking the 100y breaststroke with a PB of 1:01.34, followed by a new PB of 2:11.67 in the 200y breaststroke, giving her B-cuts in eight events this season.
Senior Duné Coetzee finished first in the 500y freestyle with a season-best B-cut of 4:39.89, while sophomore Elizabeth Tilt posted a new PB in the 400y IM with a B-cut of 4:14.81. Freshmen Elle Noecker (200y backstroke) and Tane Bidois (100y freestyle) each earned their first collegiate wins.
In the men's 200y butterfly, junior Roman Valdez notched a B-cut with a winning time of 1:45.34. Junior Olivia Della Torre swept the women's butterfly events, winning the 100 with a time of 53.53 and the 200 at 2:00.48.
In diving, multiple Bulldogs earned their way to Zones with strong performances. Senior Rhett Hopkins added platform to his program with a personal-best score of 315.90, while junior Renato Calderaro won 3-meter with a season-best score of 408.90 and sophomore Matthew Bray prevailed on 1-meter with a PB of 376.95. In the women's events, freshman Ivy Buckley took first on 1-meter with a PB of 288.45 with Michelle Cummo and Nyla Thompson both qualifying for Zones. Cummo later won on 3-meter with a Zone cut of 299.10, with Buckley finishing second at 283.50.

Up Next
Georgia now turns its attention to the postseason, beginning with some members of the team traveling to Auburn next week for the Auburn First Chance Invitational, running Feb. 7-8. Then, the Bulldogs host a loaded field at the 2025 Southeastern Conference Swimming & Diving Championships, running Feb. 17-22 at Bauerle Pool at Gabrielsen Natatorium.