Usually the Gators compete in the confines of an echoing, indoor natatorium. But today’s meet will be a little twisted.
The UF swimming and diving team is set to round out their fall season against FSU tonight, in Tallahassee’s outdoor Morcom Aquatics Center.
“We always finish the fall season against Florida State,” associate head coach Anthony Nesty said. “You always want to go out with a win. It’ll be a tough challenge again, we’re going up there swimming outdoors at 5 o’clock in Tallahassee. Hopefully the weather stays warm. It’ll be a good challenge for both the men and women.”
The squads competed against the Seminoles this past weekend in the Georgia Tech Invitational in Atlanta.
FSU barely edged the Gators on both sides, the men placing in first against the Gators’ second-place finish and the women in second, just ahead of the Gators’ third-place finish.
However, the way the Seminoles treated the Georgia Tech Invitational differed from the way the Gators approached the competition, senior Brett Fraser said.
“FSU prepared for the Georgia Tech Invite like an end of the year meet,” he said. “We didn’t. They’re tired, we’re not and it’ll show [today].”
UF focuses on the Southeastern Conference and NCAA meets the entire season, training hard all fall.
The Florida State squad showed up to the Invite in speed suits, a tool that the Gators don’t utilize until SEC and NCAA time.
“They had to rest to get through it and they’re pretty broken down right now,” Fraser said. “We’ll get the job done.”
Shorthanded Gators: The women’s side will be short two U.S. National Team members, freshman Elizabeth Beisel and junior Teresa Crippen, due to their attendance at last night’s Golden Goggle Awards in New York City.
The Golden Goggles Awards is known as the Oscars of the swimming realm, with guests including Michael Phelps, Natalie Coughlin and former Gator Ryan Lochte.
Beisel was nominated for Female Athlete of the Year, while Crippen was nominated for the Breakout Performer. Coach Gregg Troy was nominated for Coach of the Year.
Crippen and Beisel will not be flying back to Florida for the FSU meet as the coaches don’t want to wear the girls’ bodies down with travel. The out-of-state girls will also be traveling for Thanksgiving.
