ATLANTA – The Florida State swimming and diving teams won six events on the second night of the Georgia Tech Invite at the McAuley Aquatic Center. The men secured victories in the 100 fly, 200 free, 100 back and 800 free relay, while the women contributed gold in the 200 medley relay and 100 breast.
The night was highlighted by the Noles finishing first through fifth in the men’s 200 free, led by sophomore Jakub Ksiazek, who lowered his own FSU record with a personal best of 1:33.89.
Sophomore Max McCusker won gold in the 100 fly behind a career best swim of 46.26, which moves him up to sixth on the FSU all-time top 10 list.
In the 100 back, senior Griffin Alaniz swam the second fastest time in school history, winning the event at 45.44.
The men closed out the session by winning the 800 free relay by over four seconds with a time of 6:25.20 behind freshman Aziz Ghaffari, Ksiazek, freshman Peter Varjasi and senior Vladimir Stefanik.
The team of freshman Tania Quaglieri, sophomores Nina Kucheran, Aryanna Fernandes and junior Emma Terebo posted an NCAA B standard of 1:36.42 in the 200 medley relay for the win, which was just shy of the FSU record (1:36.28).
Kucheran later won the 100 breast with a season best swim of 1:00.14.
“It was another outstanding day,” FSU head coach Neal Studd said. “I’m so proud of how we’re competing. The men’s 200 free was amazing and the ladies winning the relay and Griffin’s 100 back. Just so many great moments today.”
The men started the night off taking silver in the 200 medley relay behind Alaniz, sophomores Izaak Bastian, McCusker and Varjasi with an NCAA B standard of 1:24.80.
Freshman Nick Vance swam the sixth fastest time in school history in the 400 IM, winning bronze with a time of 3:50.48. Sophomore Jackson Lucas followed in seventh with a time of 3:55.48 after swimming his personal best of 3:53.54 in prelims.
Behind Ksiazek in the 200 free, Varjasi (1:34.78) won silver, Ghaffari (1:34.79) took bronze, Stefanik (1:35.22) was fourth and senior Rudo Loock (1:35.58) placed fifth.
Bastian clocked a time of 53.51 in the 100 breast for fourth place and sophomore Jackson Lucas followed with a ninth place finish in the 100 back at 48.38, which was his personal best.
The No. 17 men are leading the team competition with a total of 675.50 ahead of Utah (561.5), North Carolina (552), Alabama (471), RV Georgia Tech (469) and No. 6 Florida (421.5).
Freshman Sydney VanOvermeiren swam the eighth fastest time in school history in the 400 IM, touching at 4:16.96 for seventh place. Sophomore Maggie Emary followed in 18th place at 4:23.96 after swimming a career best at 4:20.28 in prelims.
Fernandes swam an NCAA B time in the 100 fly, winning bronze at 52.10 after posting her career best in prelims at 52.03. The performance is now the third fastest in school history.
Junior Emma Terebo tied for fourth place in the 100 back with a time of 53.07. Quaglieri clocked a time of 53.03 to finish in 11th place, junior Madeline Cohen followed in 12th (53.64) and Ana Zortea swam her best time of 54.14 for 15th. Quaglieri’s performance ranks fifth in the school history, while Zortea’s was 10th.
The ladies ended the night with a fourth place showing in the 800 free relay with Kucheran, Terebo, sophomore Kertu Alnek and freshman Lizzie Harris at 7:17.70.
After two days of competition, the women are in fifth place with a total of 361.50.
Sunday’s events will include the 1650 free, 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 200 fly and 400 free relay. Prelims will start at 10 a.m. and finals will follow at 5:30 p.m.
House of Champion Invite
Indianapolis, Ind. – The Florida State divers turned in stellar performances on both springboards at the House of Champions Invite at the IUPUI Natatorium.
“I’m very happy with how our Noles did today,” FSU head diving coach John Proctor said. “They really stepped up and performed. It’s great to see their hard work pay off. We’ve got a few things to clean up, but overall we’re right where we need to be.”
Senior Cam Thatcher had a career day on 3-meter, scoring his best tally of 410.45 in prelims. Thatcher scored four dives above 70 points. In finals, the Toledo, Ohio native saved his best dive for last, scoring 77.50 (8.0/8.5) on his front 3 ½ somersault pike for a total of 376.70 for third place.
Junior Joshua Davidson followed Thatcher in fourth with a tally of 373.90 after scoring 367.45 in prelims. Senior Aidan Faminoff took ninth place with a total of 309.65.
The women competed on 1-meter, with senior Molly Carlson finishing in fourth place with a total of 289.80 followed by her classmate Ayla Bonniwell in fifth at 288.00. In prelims, Bonniwell had the highest total at 304.00 and Carlson was fourth at 287.25.
The women will compete on 3-meter while the men will take to 1-meter on Saturday starting at 12:30 p.m.
Notes
Friday
Meet Links
Live Results: https://data.ramblinwreck.com/livestats/c-swim/index.htm
Live Diving scores: https://secure.meetcontrol.com/divemeets/system/meetinfoext.php?meetnum=6132
ACC Network Extra:
Sunday, Nov. 24
Prelims: http://www.espn.com/watch?id=e4e88b9e-be3d-4ef4-940d-80ece1448c44
Finals: http://www.espn.com/watch?id=f24387e3-33d5-4e88-80aa-6b48bbaf85c3
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