Semeco and Polyakov Shine in Swimming and Diving Dual
11/20/2004 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
In a battle of 2004 Olympians, University of Alabama senior swimmer Arlene Semeco chalked up two head-to-head wins over her Auburn counter part Kirsty Coventry during the Crimson Tide- Tiger dual meet held in Tuscaloosa Friday night.
Semeco turned in a career best 23.11 to beat Coventry in the 50 freestyle. Semeco also came out on top in the 100 freestyle, posting a 51.20 over Coventry's 51.50. Semeco remains undefeated in both event this season.
Another of Alabama's Olympians, sophomore Vlad Polyakov also raced to a double-win night, taking first in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes. He finished dominated both events, finishing a combined nine seconds ahead of the nearest Tiger in those two events.
But in the end, Auburn had more overall firepower. The Tide men fell 153-99 while the women lost 140-105. Alabama's men went to 3-2 while the women fell to 4-2. Auburn's men climb to 2-0 while the Tiger women rebound to 1-1.
"I was proud of how we competed tonight," Alabama head coach Eric McIlquham said. "We faced the No. 1 and 2 teams in the country tonight and we didn't back down at all. Up and down the lineup we took it right to them and didn't let up. Arlene (Semeco) has one of the best second 25s in the country and she showed that tonight. Vlad is just swimming unbelievably right now and he's only going to get better."
On the women's side, sophomore Jenna Hastreiter won the one-meter diving event with 248.32 points while sophomore Victoria Genova dominated the 200 butterfly, winning with a 2:02.63. Freshman Erin Sparks rounded out the winning for the Tide women, grabbing first place points in the 200 breaststroke with a 2:21.82.
On the men's side, sophomore Apostolis Tsagkarakis touched nearly a second ahead second place Bryan Lundquist of Auburn with a 44.97. Alabama finished off the meet with a decisive win in the 400 freestyle relay. Junior Darren Erasmus, Tsagkarakis combined with freshmen Ryan Latone and Mike Jones to touch first with a 3:03.72.
Alabama returns to action in the U.S. Open December 1-4.
