Pablo Ortiz swam in the 200-yard butterfly and in doing so set a new school record of 1:50.80 (cofcsports.com)

The College of Charleston men’s swim team concluded their 2012 season in similar fashion to years past, by winning the CCSA Championship. It’s the Cougars fourth time since 2007 finishing atop their conference smashing twelve individual records in the process. Despite the individual accolades achieved, this title was about the team.

Arch rival Davidson, who fell just short of the Cougars ended the with more individual wins than the Cougar’s six. What the Cougars lacked in individual victories however, they made up for with the teams level of depth. The Cougars managed an impressive 23 top three finishes.

Rounding out a noticeable finish was the men’s 200-yard freestyle relay. The squad consisted of Greg Karel, Matt Sherrier, David Sherrier, and Brantley Reynolds; collectively they were able to grab the gold and turn in a school record time of 1:21.83.

Freshman Pablo Ortiz set a school record of his own winning the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 1:50.80.

The women team finished 7th for consecutive seasons in the championship, however ended with a total of 267 points surpassing the 250 mark for the first time in the programs history.

Sophomore Sarah Boyle impressed taking gold in the 200 backstroke breaking her own school record with a time of 2:00.00. Freshman Sarah Graif finished with a time of 51:38 in the 100-freestyle breaking her own school record while placing 6th.

“That’s what carried the team to the championship,” said head coach Bruce Zimmerman who was named CCSA Men’s Head Coach of the Year. “It was a total team effort.”

Not lacking in first place finishes, Junior Peter Gibbons defended his 2011 gold medal performance in the one and three meter dives setting new school records for each. Gibbons also received honors for most outstanding diver of the meet, and CCSA Men’s Diver of the Year for consecutive seasons.

“It’s all about keeping a positive attitude,” responded Gibbons on the pressure to repeat his success of last season. “I felt it was mine for the taking.”

The men's swimming and diving team came back to CofC as CCSA championships for the second year in a row (cofcsports.com)