After a 10-hour drive to Athens, Georgia, that was only supposed to take five, the North Carolina swimming and diving team prepared for its first dual meet of the season.
In Saturday’s meet against Georgia at Gabrielsen Natatorium, the women’s swimming and diving team finished four points away, 152-148, from obtaining a victory and snapping Georgia’s 20-year home win streak.
Junior Hellen Moffitt took first place in both the 200-yard medley relay and 100-yard backstroke. She also took second in the 200-yard backstroke and set career bests for both the 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard backstroke.
The men suffered a close loss as well, with a score of Georgia 170, UNC 125.
“Going into the meet, I was really excited and had the right mindset,” said junior Jack Nyquist, the current one-meter dive record holder for UNC.
For the past several weeks, UNC’s swimming and diving team has been practicing in various locations because of a filter replacement at its home pool.
“The outdoor pool we practice at can get pretty cold and crowded, but none of the swimmers have complained,” Coach Rich DeSelm said.
DeSelm said the practice conditions haven't been ideal, but the team has held together.
“The adversity has helped our team come together and it really shows that our team can overcome any challenge,” Moffitt said.