ATHENS, Ga. - The College of Charleston swimming and diving teams took to the waters of the Gabrielson Natatorium on the campus of the University of Georgia for the Coastal Collegiate Swimming Association Swimming and Diving Championships this weekend. The men's team finished in third place while the women placed seventh at the Championships.
On the men's side, Davidson captured its second consecutive CCSA Championship with a total of 844 points. Gardner-Webb finished in second with 814 points, just in front of CofC who totaled 796 points.
The Florida Gulf Coast women picked up a total of 879.50 points for their third-straight CCSA Championship. Davidson follows with 585 points, while Gardner-Webb took third with a score of 488.50. Georgia Southern placed fourth with 456 points and in fifth with 286 points was North Florida. Liberty placed sixth (184), while CofC followed in seventh (232).
The teams finished in the same positions last year but narrowed the gap with a 44-point improvement by the mean and 35-point improvement by the women. The teams were able to accomplish these improvements despite more than half of the roster being freshmen.
At the championships, 37 of 38 swimmers achieved personal best times.
Individually, Matt Sherrier was named Co-Swimmer of the Year alongside Davidson's Drew Onken. Peter Gibbons was named both the Diver of the Year and the Most Outstanding Diver of the Championships.
Matt Sherrier set the CCSA record in the 1650-yard freestyle event and achieved two NCAA 'B' Cuts with the 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle.
A total of 13 CofC records fell at the meet with nine dropping on the men's side and four for the women. Matt Sherrier set school records in the 1650-yard freestyle, 1000-yard freestyle, 500-yard freestyle and 200-yard freestyle. Patrick Jones set school records in the 100-yard butterfly and 200-yard butterfly events. Peter Gibbons set school-record marks in both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events. Additionally, the Cougars set a school record in the 800-yard freestyle relay with David Sherrier, Blake Buchanan, Eric Craig and Matt Sherrier.
For the women, Sarah Boyle set a school record in the 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke events. Gracie Herlong offered the fastest 200-yard butterfly time the College has ever seen as well. The women's 400-yard medley relay team of Sarah Boyle, April Coyne, Gracie Herlong and Meredith Smith set a school record as well.
At the Championships, the Cougars claimed six individual champions on the men's side. Matt Sherrier championed the 500-yard freestyle and 1650-yard freestyle, Patrick Jones championed the 100-yard butterfly, Peter Gibbons won the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events and the 200-yard medley relay team of Jackson Marine, Brantley Reynolds, Patrick Jones and Greg Karel was best as well.
For more information about the CCSA including meet results, news, schedules, Championship information, records, top times, information on the CCSA executive committee and each participating school, visit the official new home of the CCSA, www.theccsa.com. You can also follow the CCSA on twitter at http://twitter.com/TheCCSA.
