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Georgia Teams To Tune Up At Fall Invitational

Dec 3, 2009 by Georgia Sports Communications

ATHENS, Ga. - The SEC and NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships won’t
take place until February and March, but Georgia head coach Jack Bauerle
already has them on his mind.

Bauerle’s teams will host the Georgia Fall Invitational Friday through
Sunday at Gabrielsen Natatorium inside the Ramsey Center. Prelims will take
place at 9 a.m. each day and the finals will be at 5 p.m. Friday and
Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. There is no charge for admission.

Unlike a dual meet where team scores are kept, the Georgia Fall Invitational
presents an opportunity for competitors to showcase their talents for what
Bauerle calls the upcoming “championship season.”

“It’s important to get a sense of where we are, not just against other teams
but within our own team,” Bauerle said. “We’ll get a better feel this
weekend of who’s fighting for SEC and NCAA positions. This will be our first
and last chance to do a three-day meet before the SECs, and we need to see
how the kids hold up. When you race that much and that fast in three days,
it’s a war zone.

“This invitational should provide our fastest swims of the year. I am
looking forward to some good times.”

Georgia diving coach Dan Laak has similar aspirations for his charges. The
divers will compete on one board each day as opposed to two boards in a
dual-meet format.

“The divers can concentrate each day on the springboards and the platform,
which should mean we’ll see their best dives,” Laak said. “Our divers are
well-rested coming off the Thanksgiving break and they’ve looked good this
week. I am expecting some really good performances.”

Joining Georgia’s teams this weekend will be student-athletes from Florida,
Auburn, Denver, UNC-Wilmington and Boston University.

Tagged: georgia teams to tune up at fall invitational, sec and ncaa swimming and diving championships, uga swimming and diving, coach jack bauerle