"The first half of the season you're doing meet after meet, and it's just second nature," said UNC junior Katie Hathaway. "I think maybe we were feeling a little bit under pressure in the medley relay, but it got us jumpstarted (and) let us know: 'Hey, wake up call.'"
The women (4-1, 2-0 in the ACC) awoke and went on to beat the Tigers (2-3-1, 1-2) in the next eight events and in 12 of 15 to finish the meet. Hathaway and Jessi Perruquet led the team, winning three events apiece.
Rather than individual domination, Clemson's men used a team effort to down the Tar Heels (2-3, 1-1). Eight different Tigers (2-3, 2-1) won individual events, and only Craig Thomas won two, taking the men's one- and three-meter diving competitions.
Despite the loss, UNC coach Frank Comfort said he was pleased with some of the men's individual performances.
"One of the great things about swimming is that you can lose and still have achieved a great deal," Comfort said. "A whole bunch of people swam fast and got beaten by people faster."
Sophomore Yuri Suguiyama won two events for the Tar Heels, taking the 200- and 500-yard freestyles.
All-American Sean Quinn, competing for the first time since he fractured his foot in early November, won the 200-yard breaststroke.
"We certainly didn't compete as a team to lose," Comfort said of the men, who are now 39-5 all-time against the Tigers.
"That's my quote and I'm sticking to it. (Clemson) did a great job, and they get the credit."
The Sports Editor can be reached at sports@unc.edu.
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