The UNC swim and dive teams received the South Carolina Gamecocks at the Koury Natatorium and won their first double win in the spring season. The diving teams continued their successful streak with first and second places for men and women in all categories.
What happened?
The UNC men’s and women’s teams started out strong, each winning first place in their respective 400-yard medleys. The female relay won with a time of 3: 35.03 and the male with a time of 3: 09.85. This was all part of coach Mark Gangloff’s plan for the meeting.
“I knew that if we started with our relays at a really high level and opened with a few wins, we would match up very well with South Carolina,” said Gangloff. “We started with a lot of momentum and some great victories and we continue to do so.”
Since then, it has been a steady stream of victories for Tar Heel’s swimmers, giving up just a first place for Gamecocks in the 100-yard breaststroke event. The only other wins in South Carolina came from the 200-yard free relay, in which the UNC competed only as exhibition teams.
Who stood out?
Among the victories of first place Tar Heel almost exclusively, several swimmers and divers stood out among the rest.
Junior Grace Countie won two individual events, the 100-yard women’s backstroke and the 200-yard women’s backstroke. Countie also contributed to the victory of the women’s 400-yard medley relay. Countie doesn’t usually compete in the 200 meters on her back, but her coaches felt she was up for the challenge.
“Grace Countie had a great swim in the backstroke,” said Gangloff. “We put her there today and she did a good job stepping up.”
Along with Countie, the second year Addison Smith had a remarkable performance, with several first places. Smith left with triumphs in both the women’s 1000-yard freestyle and the women’s 500-yard freestyle.
On the male side, junior Tomas Sungaila and senior Valdas Abaliksta were the highlights of his team. Abaliksta won the men’s 100-yard breaststroke as well as the 200-yard breaststroke, with his best split time being 53.91 in the 100-yard event. Sungaila took first place in the 100-yard freestyle and 200-yard freestyle.
The first year diver Aranza Vazquez was undoubtedly the star of the competition. After breaking the UNC women’s 1 meter diving record of all time just two days earlier, Vazquez broke his own record with a score of 344.03.
When was it decided?
From the start, it was clear that Tar Heels’ swim teams were dominating Gamecocks. Almost all events were successful for UNC, leaving no room for South Carolina to score many points. Despite some submissions from Gamecock in second place, the visiting team failed to match the speed and endurance of Tar Heel.
Likewise, North Carolina dive teams scored high from the start. Both the male and female teams, guaranteeing the first and second places in all events, guaranteed that the Gamecocks would come out as losers.
Why does it matter?
After a difficult start to the season, this marks the Tar Heel swimming teams’ first victory in 2021. Both teams overcame the Gamecocks by a wide margin. In diving, another record being set by Vazquez shows that this impressive first year is a force to be reckoned with.
When do they play next?
Tar Heels will host the Duke Blue Devils on Friday, January 29 at 4pm on Seniors’ Day at the Koury Natatorium.
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