Gators Set for Historic Florida-Georgia Rivalry
Thursday, October 29, 2015 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Notable Links:
Complete Florida-Georgia Notes
Meet Mobile Swim Results
Live Diving Results
Watch the Meet Live
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The top-ranked University of Florida men's and 13th-ranked women's swimming and diving teams will be back in action on Friday, playing host to the SEC-rivaling Georgia Bulldogs inside the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida.
The Florida-Georgia matchup is one of the longest-kept series' in UF history with over 100 head-to-head meetings between the men's and women's teams.
The Florida men and women return from a week of rest following a two-day double against Texas and Indiana in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 17, while both Georgia squads are coming off two weeks of rest following a dual sweep at home against the North Carolina Tar Heels.
While both teams are enjoying a special year with the Olympics just around the corner, this year's meet will be swam in a long-course (50-meter pool) where swimmers will have the opportunity to reach Olympic Trial-qualifying times.
** Promotions: **
THE FIRST 250 FANS IN ATTENDANCE WILL RECEIVE A FREE FLORIDA GATORS SWIMMING AND DIVING MINI COOLER.
In addition, fans will have the opportunity to receive free swimming and diving posters, schedule cards, and key tags.
Coach Troy on Georgia:
"It's always good to swim Georgia on Florida-Georgia football weekend. It puts a little extra into the competition. We are swimming the long course, we will go 50 meters. With it being an Olympic year, both Georgia and ourselves have a lot of athletes that have Olympic aspirations, so it helps them out a lot to train and race 50 meters in this situation.
"Georgia was a top-10 last year, and I think that they are little bit better this year – they're a great group and we are going to be challenged the whole way through this meet."
Watch It Live:
Fans interested in watching this week's competition live, can do so by watching on the SEC Network+ on computers, tablets, and smart phones. (Link Above)
Meet Mobile:
Fans can follow this week's action via live results on the "Meet Mobile" swim meet application on cell phones and tablets. (Link Above)
Looking Ahead:
The Florida men and women return to action with an SEC home dual against South Carolina on Friday, November 6. The Gators will host the Gamecocks inside the Stephen C. O'Connell Center at 2 p.m. ET in a long-course format.
Scouting The Field: Georgia
Men: Senior Michael Trice and sophomore Gunnar Bentz paced the Bulldogs with two wins apiece. Trice took the 50 freestyle in 20.01 and the 100 freestyle in 44.76. Bentz claimed the 200 freestyle in 1:37.50 and the 200 breaststroke in 2:00.56. Other winners for the Bulldogs included Aidan Burns in the 1,000 freestyle (9:14.23), Pace Clark in the 200 butterfly (1:45.18), Taylor Dale in the 100 backstroke (47.20), Kevin Litherland in the 500 freestyle (4:27.84) and Ty Stewart in the 200 individual medley (1:48.34).
Women: The Lady Bulldogs extended their UGA all-sports record with their 95th straight win at home. The streak began Nov. 8, 1995. Georgia also has won 14 consecutive season openers. All of the Lady Bulldogs' victories came from senior Hali Flickinger and junior Emily Cameron with three each and senior Brittany MacLean with two.
We Meet Again:
The Gators have familiarity with Georgia this week, having swam against both programs a season ago.
2014-15 Vs. Texas: The No. 5-ranked men's and No. 3 women's swimming & diving teams fell at No. 4/2 Georgia by scores of 174.5-122.5 and 176-119, respectively, on Friday, October 31, in the Georgia's Gabrielsen Natatorium in Athens, Ga. UF registered 11 NCAA 'B' standard times throughout the dual.
What's at Stake:
In addition to taking on a pair of No. 2 nationally ranked competitors, Friday's competition will be swam in a long-course format for the second time in 2015-16. The long-course setting times can be used as olympic trial-qualifying time standards for those shooting for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
All-Time Series:
Both series' between Florida and Georgia go far beyond the 2014-15 season when the men's and women's teams last met. The Florida men hold an all-time record of 61-16-3 vs. the Bulldogs while the women have an all-time record of 14-15.
Swimming to the Postseason:
Six men and four women from the University of Florida swim team have combined for 24 NCAA 'B' cut times throughout the 2015-16 season. (View chart in “complete meet notes” link)
Diving to the Postseason:
Four women and three men have combined for 16 NCAA diving provisional standards throughout the 2015-16 season. (View chart in “complete meet notes” link)
Click here to view the complete set of meet notes for this week's Florida-Georgia series.
For all of the latest information on Florida swimming & diving:
Official Website: www.gatorzone.com/swimmingdiving/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GatorsSwimDv
Twitter: @GatorsSwimDv
