Coming into this weekend’s meet against an experienced Stanford squad and an up-and-coming Michigan team, the Gators hoped they could prove that they belonged in the conversation among the top teams in the nation.
They appear to be on their way to doing just that.
After the first day of competition in Ann Arbor, Mich., the Gators hold a 145-111 advantage against the Cardinal and a convincing 156-102 lead over the Wolverines.
Sophomore Elizabeth Beisel and senior Sarah Bateman were the stars for the Gators, with the Rhode Island native Beisel picking up two individual titles and her teammate winning one. Beisel swam to dominant victories in the 400-meter freestyle and 400 individual medley, while Bateman won the 50 free.
The duo also teamed up with Teresa Crippen and Hilda Luthersdottir to win the 400 medley relay.
After an Oct. 28 loss to Georgia, head coach Gregg Troy said that one thing that separated the Gators from the Bulldogs was a lack of depth.
Friday’s meet, which only consisted of six events, gave some of the Florida swimmers who performed poorly against Georgia the opportunity to pick up crucial points, and they didn’t disappoint.
Experienced competitors like seniors Kirsten Smith and Angelina Ballatore, juniors Jamie Bohunicky and Sharla Milne, and even younger Gators like freshmen Rebecca Rainer and Kaitlin Frehling all earned top-10 finishes that secured points.
Saturday’s slate only includes six events as well, so Florida’s depth swimmers will have to step up again if they hope to swim to victories.
Though the first day’s events were held using a longer course meant for Olympic qualification meets, the competition will revert back to the more familiar NCAA short course for Saturday starting at 9 a.m.
