Aggies, Gators split SEC showdown in dual meet
Aggies, Gators split SEC showdown in dual meet
The Texas A&M swimming teams traded blows with the visiting Florida Gators in a Southeastern Conference dual meet on Saturday in College Station, TX.
By Adam Mania
​The Texas A&M swimming teams traded blows with the visiting Florida Gators in a Southeastern Conference dual meet on Saturday in College Station, TX. The host Aggies' 14th-ranked women's team dominated the No. 18 Gators in a 171-124 win, while the Texas A&M men's squad fell short against eighth-ranked Florida, 159-141.
WOMEN
It should come as no surprise that the Texas A&M women have been on fire for the past few years. The Aggies are not only sending athletes to the Olympics, but their depth is also difficult to match. Against Florida, Texas A&M came out on top in stunning fashion, winning by a 47-point margin. As we all know, when a dual becomes more and more lopsided, the leading team will begin to exhibition their final events, hemorrhaging away points. But here's just how dominant the Aggies were this weekend.
In 11 total NCAA-eligible individual events for the day, there were 14 total NCAA B-Cuts on the women's side. The Texas A&M women accounted for 13 of them. Also, the only race the Aggies lost was the 100 free and 100 back -- both by a narrow margin. The Gators received great finishes by Kelsi Dambacher and Emma Ball to prevent a total sweep. But in the 200 medley relay, Texas A&M's depth continued to separate from Florida, capturing first place, second, fourth, and fifth. That's correct, the Aggies' "D" relay beat the Gators' "B" relay. Also of note: Texas A&M's Beryl Gastaldello split a blazing 23.1 50 fly.
In the 200 breast, Texas A&M went 1-4, all posting "B" cuts in the process. The Aggies' fourth-fastest swimmer was Jorie Caneta in only 2:13.54. First place was Ashley McGregor in 2:12.44. Now take a second and think about that training group. Wow.
While there were no "B" cuts in the 200 freestyle, Texas A&M still showed a deep arsenal, taking first overall, second, fourth, fifth, and sixth, all which were sub-1:49 finishes. Keep your eyes open on these ladies.
MEN
The Florida men's team won a back-and-forth battle against the Aggies men, coming out on top by 18 points. The dual was full of impressive races by Florida's Caeleb Dressel, but Texas A&M's Luna Castillo and Brock Bonetti were also dominant.
Dressel triumphed in 1:35.99 in the 200, 19.68 in the 50, and 1:46.19 in the 200 IM, all of which were NCAA "B" cuts, of course. His closing speed has been especially strong, coming home in 24.5 in the IM and 23.73 in the 200 free.
For the Aggies, Castillo swept both breastroke races, going 54.18 and 1:57.53 in B-cuts as well. Bonnetti, followed suit in the backstroke races, finishing in 48.02 and 1:44.62, respectively. Bonnetti is one of the few backstrokers in the NCAA this year to have already gone under 22 seconds in the 50 back to lead off his 200 medley relay.
Full Results