Diving Deep: A Look Back at Gamecock Swim & Dive 2024 Season Highlights at USC

REWRITING THE RECORD BOOKS

During the concluding day of the Gamecock Invitational in November, the team achieved four distinct records set by four different competitors. Madison Kolessar commenced the evening with a time of 16:12.57 in the 1650 free, surpassing the former school record established by Emma Barksdale in 2018 by .01. Kaden Smesko followed suit with both a school and pool record in the 200 backstroke, timing in at 1:41.55. Meanwhile, Amy Riordan and Greta Pelzek attained pool records in the 200 backstroke (1:52.89) and 200 butterfly (1:54.75), respectively.

Sophie Verzyl set two pool records at different institutions; she initiated the season by claiming Duke’s pool record in the 3-meter with a score of 390.53. The junior later established a new pool record for UNCW in the same event with a score of 398.03.

IN THE RANKINGS

The women’s program has consistently been recognized among the top programs nationally, maintaining a presence in CSCAA’s Top 25 polls throughout October, November, and December. In the preseason poll, the Gamecocks garnered 14 votes, placing them just outside the top-25. In October, the program ascended to No. 17, surpassing SEC rivals Auburn, Texas A&M, and Missouri. By November, the women were positioned at No. 20 and concluded 2024 at No. 22 in December.

As they approach 2025, several Gamecocks are individually ranked within the conference’s top-10. On the women’s side, Riordan has the fifth quickest time in the 200 backstroke at 1:52.89. Kolessar stands ninth in the 1650 with her new school record time of 16:12.57. Pelzek has the seventh fastest time in the 200 fly (1:54.75). Verzyl ranks first in the 3-meter and second in the 1-meter. For the men, Connor Fry is positioned ninth in the SEC for the 1650 free with a time of 14:52.97.

WEEKLY AWARDS

Verzyl has effectively represented the Gamecocks in the SEC Weekly awards, securing four Diver of the Week accolades so far this season, which is the highest tally among all swimming or diving competitors in the conference.

Ryan Turner received the first weekly honor for the swimmers of the 2024-25 season, being recognized as Male Freshman of the Week on Nov. 12.

ON THE NATIONAL STAGE

During the USA Diving Winter Nationals held in December, Verzyl secured two medals. She began the event by finishing third alongside her partner Margo O’Meara from Duke in the 3-meter synchro with a score of 497.40, just three-tenths behind the second-place finisher. The next day, the junior excelled again, capturing a silver medal in the 1-meter with a total of 505.95 points.

Fry, Turner, and Umut Yildirim achieved gold for the Gamecocks at the CSCAA National Open Water Championships, finishing first among 11 other teams with a collective 5k time of 3:03.58. The women’s team, represented by Nora Fluck, Emma Reiser, and Sianna Savarda, were recognized as the Women’s Team National Runner-Ups out of 19 teams, after the trio swam a combined time of 3:21:29.

UP NEXT

The Gamecocks will resume action on January 4^th for a dual meet at Virginia Tech. The last home meet for the 2024-25 season is scheduled for January 25^th against Georgia Tech, commencing at 10:00 a.m.

For the most current information regarding South Carolina swimming and diving, continue to follow GamecocksOnline.com or the team’s social media (@GamecocksSwmDive).