The University of Georgia will be adding another trophy to its crowded national championship case.
The Lady Bulldogs won the women’s swimming and diving title Saturday in Indianapolis. That was the fifth national championship won by that program under coach Jack Bauerle, and the 39th overall for UGA.
Georgia got this one by outscoring California, which had edged it the past two years, 477 to 393 at the IUPUI Natatorium.
“I am just so proud of this group of young ladies,” said Bauerle, who was named coach of the year Saturday. “They were determined to reach this goal from the first day of workouts and they never deviated from the plan. A team that works that hard and has that kind of discipline deserves success. This team is made up of a bunch of fighters, and they never flinched and they never backed down.”
Georgia closed out its victory by winning the 400-yard freestyle relay and breaking the NCAA and U.S. Open records in the process. The team of Allison Schmitt, Shannon Vreeland, Chantal Van Landeghem and Megan Romano stopped the clock in 3:09.40, eclipsing the 3:09.88 set by Cal in 2009.
“It’s almost impossible to describe how incredible this feels,” said Schmitt, who won an Olympic gold medal in 2012. “We all love being a part of a team, and winning a team title means so much more than any individual title ever could. I am blessed to be a member of this team. This is a night that I will never, ever forget.”
Romano claimed second in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 47.37 to pace Georgia.
Gymnastics has won the most national championships for Georgia with 10, followed by men’s tennis with eight, and swimming and diving, women’s tennis and equestrian with five each.
Athletic director Greg McGarity seemed to be very pleased as he jumped into the pool to celebrate with the team after victory was clinched.
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