Upcoming Event: Swimming & Diving versus Boston College on September 26, 2025 at 4 p.m. Diving / 5 p.m. Swimming
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4 p.m. Diving / 5 p.m. Swimming
Swimming & Diving
vs Boston College
Swimming Welcomes Georgia Tech and Houston
10/29/2009 4:00:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
DURHAM, N.C. – On Friday October 30 the Duke swimming and diving programs will welcome Georgia Tech and Houston to Taishoff Aquatics Pavilion for a double-dual meet with action getting underway at 6:00 pm.
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have experienced marked disparity with regard to the success of the men's and women's programs in recent years. In 2008-09 the Georgia Tech men finished fifth in the ACC, posting an overall record of 7-2 and 2-2 in conference competition. The men took a total of nine swimmers to the NCAA Championships where they proved to be the 19th best team in the nation. With a record of 3-2 on the season, the men have only suffered losses to SEC powerhouses Alabama and Florida. However, Georgia Tech's women finished the 2008-09 season last in the ACC with a record of 6-6 overall (0-5 ACC). To begin this season, they have notched a record of 4-2-1 with a notable win over ACC foe Clemson. The Yellow Jackets are under the direction of third-year head coach and two-time Olympic gold medalist Courtney Hart.
The Houston Cougars only have a women's program and carry a small roster, but what they lack in size they make up for in talent. Last season the Cougar women took second place at the Conference USA Championships and sent three individuals to the NCAA Championships. On the strength of those individuals, Houston claimed 17th place in the nation. The Cougars are led by eight-year head coach Mark Taylor.
After losing a couple of close meets last weekend at Maryland, the Blue Devils will try to rebound this weekend against a pair of high-power teams. Nick McCrory looks to stay perfect on the boards for the season while sophomore diver Abby Johnston will face her first true test against Houston's Anastasia Pozdniakova. Last season, Pozdniakova took first place at the NCAA Championships on the one-meter board and was the runner-up in the three-meter event.
Duke's distance swimmers have been a point of brilliance so far this season. On the women's side, consistent performances by Ashley Twichell and Jackie Fasano in the 1000 free have pushed the Blue Devils out to early leads. And for the men, Nathan French and Alex Harmon have performed well in the 1000, while French and freshman Matt Carder have led the way in the 500 free.
Next weekend, Duke will travel to Blacksburg, Va. where the Blue Devils will square-off against Virginia Tech and Miami.
You can follow the Blue Devils over the course of the season by visiting https://twitter.com/dukeswimming.
Players Mentioned
Freestyle
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Distance/Free
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Distance Free/IM
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Diving
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Diving
/ Swimming & DivingFreestyle
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