Despite having their remarkable season shortened due to the coronavirus pandemic, nine members of the Florida Gators women’s swimming and diving team were given SEC postseason honors.
https://twitter.com/GatorsSwimDv/status/1250149324387807232
All-SEC Second Team
The Gators have a strong representation on the All-SEC Second Team. Eight Gators appeared on the team:
- Emma Ball
- Leah Braswell
- Sherridon Dressel
- Bella Garofalo
- Vanessa Pearl
- Elizabeth Perez
- Emma Whitner
This season saw Ball’s first career All-American honors in three events: the 100 back, 200 medley relay and 400 medley relay. During the regular season, she picked up three individual wins and was a part of nine winning relays.
In her sophomore season, Braswell was recognized as an All-American for the first time in her young career in the 500 and 1,650 free. Dressel earned seven All-American honors as well as winning two medals in the SEC Championships. Garofalo set the pace for Florda’s second-fastest 400 free relay in program history. Pearl was honored with All-American status in five events.
Perez had an 11th place finish on the platform in the NCAA Diving Zones in March. Whitner picked up her first career SEC medal with a second-place platform finish and a new personal record of 285.45.
This is the second straight year receiving SEC postseason honors for Ball, Braswell, Dressel, Garofalo and Pearl. These five were on the All-SEC team last year.
https://twitter.com/GatorsSwimDv/status/1250156873988239360
All-Freshman Team
Two Gators, Kathleen Golding and Allie Piccirillo, were selected to the All-Freshman team. Golding won six individual events in the regular season, including being a part of four relay victories. Piccirillo finished as the top freshman in the 200 fly.
Before COVID-19
Before the global pandemic put the sports world on hold, the Gators were on track for a special season. Florida was ranked No. 7 in the country and held a record of 11-1. The Gators placed second in the SEC Championships for the second year in a row, missing first place by only 28.5 points. The team finsihed the event with five medals over the span of a week. The season didn’t finish before holding the NCAA Championships.
