The Gators bounced back strong this week against the Hurricanes after a tough loss in the season’s first meet. UF toppled Miami for the win with a final score of 190-94.
The Gators showed unwavering dominance from the first event, the 200-yard medley relay, in which UF snagged all top-three spots. Just .23 seconds separated UF’s top two relay teams, with team A, comprised of Rosie Zavaros, Cecilia Porter, Chade Nersicio and Bettina Boszormenyi, taking the win.
A big problem for the Gators last week against Georgia was failing to claim a top spot in multiple events. However, the Gators won all of the meet’s 14 events Thursday against Miami. Taylor Ault got her first win of her senior season in the 1,000-yard freestyle, beating out freshman Elise Bauer in the end.
Several newcomers won their first events in Gators swimsuits on Thursday. Junior transfer Annette Schultz earned her first win in the 100-yard backstroke. Schultz continued to dominate after that, earning another win four events later in the 100-yard freestyle. Katie Mack, a transfer from NC State, also got her first win as a Gator in the 100-yard butterfly.
Freshmen Kenady Biel, Porter and Chloe Grimme also notched their first collegiate wins in Thursday’s meet. Biel posted a 1:59.44 time in the 200-yard butterfly for her first win and the fastest time in the event this season. Porter improved on her time last week by .02 to take the win in the 100-yard breaststroke. Grimme beat out fellow Gator Kirschtine Balbuena to take the 50-yard freestyle.
The Gators did not take the top spot in the 1- or 3-meter events on the diving board as they did against Georgia. In the 1-meter, senior Ashley McCool placed third and earned the Gators’ highest score at 286.50. In the 3-meter, the Gators had two podium-worthy performances. Junior Elizabeth Perez took second with a score of 341.35, and McCool took third at 339.60.
Some Gators will compete next week on Nov. 12 at the US Open in Sarasota, Florida. Both the men’s and women’s teams will return to action on Nov. 18 for the Auburn Invitational.
Contact Sara Kate Dyson at skatedyson@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter @sarakatedyson.
