Jan. 22, 2015
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Vanderbilt swim team heads to the University of South Carolina for its last road test before SEC Championships begin on Feb. 17. The Commodores will be participating in a quad-meet between South Carolina, Wingate, and Queens (N.C).
“We’re really looking forward to racing this weekend,” said head coach Jeremy Organ. “Last week South Carolina beat a top-20 ranked Missouri team in a duel meet so competition is going to be very tough. The two-day format gives us another opportunity to race on consecutive days, which will help prepare us for the upcoming SEC Championships.”
So far this season the `Dores have yet to defeat an SEC opponent, but have gained valuable experience that will help them in the SEC Championships. At the 2014 SEC Champs the Commodores broke 15 school records alone.
Some of the top performers on the team come from the youngest class of Commodores. Freshman Summer Brown hopes to continue her success after she broke the 200 Freestyle last semester with a time of 1:49.82. During the Commodores’ SEC opener against the Kentucky Wildcats, Brown won garnered points for the `Dores taking first place in the event.
Breanna Sapienza, a freshman from Medford, Ore., swam to a first place finish for the Commodores in the 100-yd butterfly (55.47) verses Arkansas. Sapienza owns the Vanderbilt record in this event, which was established last semester when she earned her b-cut for NCAA qualifying at a time of 54.34.
The Commodores will also rely on sophomore Carrie Bencic to earn points for the `Dores this weekend. Bencic broke her first individual Vanderbilt record in the 500 Freestyle with a time of 4:54.48 earlier this year and is a part of the record holding 800 freestyle relay team.
The Gamecocks are currently 6-4 on the season with a conference wins over Missouri and losses to Kentucky and Georgia. South Carolina own a 5-0 record over the Commodores. The last time the two schools met, SC defeated Vandy 187-122.
Friday will be the first meeting between Vanderbilt, Wingate, and Queens during the regular season.
The `Dores jump into the Carolina Natatorium this Friday 5 p.m. CT and then again Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.