The Gator women's swim team showed promise a week ago in Michigan against the Wolverines and the Stanford Cardinal.
That promise translated into domination Thursday as UF defeated LSU 185-104 in Baton Rouge, La.
The Gators(2-1,1-0 SEC) swept the meet, placing first in every event and even breaking some records in the process. Junior Gemma Spofforth broke two LSU Natatorium records - the 100-yard backstroke (53.84) and 200-yard backstroke (157.26).
The victory should not come as a surprise to Gators fans, as the women went into the meet with an 11-0 record against the Tigers.
Coach Gregg Troy seemed pleased with the commanding fashion in which his women swam, taking note of some of the more impressive individual performances of the afternoon.
"We swam very well today," Troy said. "We won every event of the meet,and, notably, freshman Teresa Crippen won two events and Gemma Spofforth won both backstroke events, which were both new pool records."
The UF team, which is composed of a large group of young swimmers, proved that its youth not only have promising futures but also the potential for solid seasons this fall.
Along with Crippen's strong performance in the 1000-yard freestyle, fellow freshmen Shara Stafford, Lindsay Rogers and Sarah Bateman each walked away with individual first places.
Also, the leadership of the team, composed of swimmers Laurabeth Guenthner and Stephanie Napier, pushed the Gators along with fast swims in both individual and team events.
The day before, the UF men's team had similar success against LSU, but not to the extent of the women.
Not only did the women sweep LSU in swimming events, a feat the UF men failed to accomplish, they also had a solid day in diving, placing first and second in both diving events, an aspect of the meet the men lacked on Wednesday.
The Gators' margin of victory was tightened by the fact that they exhibitioned the final three events, not counting any points and allowing the Tigers to have them instead.
UF's men and women hope to bring the momentum back to Gainesville as they head home to face Georgia in the O'Connell Center on Oct. 30.
