Bulldogs Honor Seniors in Intrasquad Meet

Saturday, February 1

Athens, Ga.

11:00 AM

University of Georgia

Georgia Timed Trials

Photo by: Tony Walsh

February 01, 2020 | Swimming & Diving

Results

By Jean Louise Webb, UGA Sports Communications

ATHENS, Ga.—The University of Georgia swimming and diving team faced off in a combined intrasquad scrimmage to round out the regular season Saturday morning at Gabrielsen Natatorium. The original meet scheduled with Emory was cancelled due to a major road accident on I-85 in Atlanta.

Before the meet, the Bulldogs celebrated the 17 members of their 2020 senior class. Those recognized for the women included McKensi Austin, Veronica Burchill, Mary Claire Cardwell, Sofia Carnevale, Lexi Glunn, Jordyn Gulle, Freida Lim, Meryn McCann, Katherine Parker, Sandra Scott and Jordan Stout. The honored men were Charlie Clifton, Jackson Ford, Clayton Forde, Walker Higgins, Josh Horne and Kevin Miller.

"I want to thank the seniors. They've poured their hearts and souls into this program for four years," said Tom Cousins Head Coach Jack Bauerle. "As a parent, you understand what they've been through. I saw a lot of emotion on the parents' side, a couple of them who I didn't expect it from. It comes as a shock."

"Sometimes it catches up to the parents faster than the athlete because all of a sudden, this is finished. Anyways, these seniors have put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this place, so I just want to say thanks to our kids. They have been pretty neat to watch."

In the intrasquad meet, the men's and women's events were converted to mixed events to complete a full meet program.

"It was an unusual day, but I hope everybody is alright over in Atlanta, more importantly," said Bauerle. "But I am really proud of what we did here today. We swam really well and learned a few things before SEC's. It was a little bit unusual because you are swimming against yourself which is something we do every day. I think they handled it in great fashion."

"Just by and large, it was a really good effort under the circumstances. I wish Emory could have gotten here; it would have been good for them too. They are a class program, coached by one of the best coaches in the country. We enjoy swimming against them. They are one heck of a program. But there's not much to say when it's intrasquad. I think we made something out of a bad situation, so hats off to the kids."

The Bulldogs will swim again at the SEC Championships in Auburn beginning on Tuesday, Feb. 18 and continuing through Saturday, Feb. 22. Georgia then returns home for the Bulldog Invitational on Feb. 29-March 1 at Gabrielsen.