Alabama
Florida
Alabama Swimming and Diving Battles Florida, Coming Up Just Short
10/25/2017 7:17:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
The Crimson Tide men fell to the Gators by a score of 158-140, while Alabama women lost 166-134
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama swimming and diving teams battled to the end against the Florida Gators Wednesday afternoon, coming up just short in both the men's and women's meets. The Crimson Tide men fell 158-140, while Alabama women lost 166-134. It was the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.
"While I'm not happy that we didn't win the meets, I couldn't be prouder of the effort from the team today," UA head coach Dennis Pursley said. "They went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in the country and really gave it their best shot."
The Tide started the day by sweeping the men's and women's 400 medley relays. Senior Bailey Scott, juniors Justine Macfarlane and Katie Kelsoe and freshman Flora Molnar combined for a time of 3:39.57 to win the opening women's relay. Senior Luke Kaliszak, juniors Laurent Bams and Robert Howard along with sophomore Zane Waddell claimed victory for the men with a time of 3:09.90.
The Tide closed the meet the same way they started it, winning the men's and women's 200 freestyle relays. Seniors Temarie Tomley and Lindsay Morrow, Molnar and Scott claimed the victory for the women with a time of 1:31.85. Freshman Jack Blake, Waddell, Bams and Howard combined for a time of 1:18.88 to secure men's win.
"We raced hard and tough all the way to the very end," Pursley said. "Even when it was clear that we were going to come up on the short end, they finished strong with a statement, winning those relays to end the meet."
In between the relays, the Tide men tallied six individual wins while the women won five. Highlights include Molnar posting a 50.18 to become the ninth fastest 100 freestyler in UA history in just her second collegiate meet and Bams going 53.40 in his first collegiate 100 breaststroke to become the fourth fastest UA swimmer ever in that event. Molnar would go on to add a win the 100 butterfly (54.49) later in the meet.
Kaliszak took first in the 100 backstroke after touching the wall with a 48.25. Fellow senior Christopher Reid took second in the 100 backstroke (48.82), before touching the wall with a 1:45.32 in the 200 backstroke to reel in another individual win for the men.
Senior Will Freeman won the 200 butterfly (1:46.41) and was second in the 500 freestyle (4:30.94). Howard (43.72) and Waddell (44.32) went one and two in the 100 freestyle.
Junior Robbie Costine and senior David Morton took first and second off the men's 1-meter springboard. Costine took top honors with a score of 342.38, while Morton was second with a 281.63.
Macfarlane had a very good day in the breaststroke events. In addition to swimming the breaststroke leg on the winning 400 medley relay, she took top honors in both the 100 (1:02.30) and 200 (2:14.14) breaststroke events. Junior Sarah Helm took second in the 100 breaststroke clocking a 1:03.83.
Scott (23.06) and senior Lindsay Morrow (23.33) took first and second, respectively, in the 50 freestyle. Molnar continues to impress in her rookie season, earning individual wins in both the 100 freestyle (50.18) and 100 butterfly (54.49). Senior Hannah Musser took second in the 100 butterfly touching the wall with a 54.60.
Alabama returns to action Friday, Oct. 27, traveling to Auburn, Ala. to take on the Auburn Tigers.
For all the latest information on the Alabama swimming and diving teams, follow AlabamaSwimDive on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. General athletic news can be found at @UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
