FGCU S&D vs Florida Preview

The FGCU women's swimming and diving team will be tested right from the start as the Eagles host Power 5 Conference member Florida for the first time in program history at the FGCU Aquatics Center, Saturday morning, to kick off the 2018-19 slate.

Saturday's meeting will mark the third time both squads have faced each other as the Gators took last season's dual, 175-123. Despite the loss, the Eagles captured four events to then #15-ranked Florida.

"It's exciting to welcome a team like Florida to The Nest for the first time!" said head coach Dave Rollins. "There is a lot of nervous energy and excitement on the deck for our meet on Saturday, but it will be a lot of fun to challenge ourselves this early in the season. Florida has been the gold standard for swimming in our state for a long time and if we want to be competitive on a national level, we have to challenge ourselves every opportunity we have. Looking forward to seeing the team compete and support one another as we get the season started!"

The Eagles return more than half their roster this year and have their sights set on capturing a fifth consecutive Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA) crown and will try to make it 10 overall by year's end, after going 7-2 last year and 2-0 in CCSA action. Senior Christina Kaas Elmgreen represented the Green and Blue at NCAA Championships in March – making it seven times FGCU has sent a team or individual to the Championships – as she looks to build off her junior year.

In the aforementioned CCSA meet, senior Gracie Redding took home the Eagles' sixth straight Most Outstanding Female Swimmer of the meet, while coach Rollins earned his second consecutive Coach of the Year award, the program's eighth overall.

In late June, the program tied a record with nine honorees on the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) list as Elmgreen garnered First Team honors and returners, Redding and fellow seniors Hannah Burdge, Doris Eichhorn and Linda Shaw, juniors Cassidy Fry and Elizabeth Zeiger and sophomore Rebecca Moynihan, received honorable mention plaudits.

Scouting the Gators:
After finishing #17 in the polls last season, Florida begins the year with a new head coach as Jeff Poppell was elevated from an associate head coach after two seasons. The Gators commenced their season on Thursday at FAU, defeating the Owls 226-71. Earlier Friday afternoon, UF visited Miami, coming out on top, 184-95 as they are now 2-0 coming into Fort Myers.

The Gators return a pair of All-Americans in Sherridon Dressel (200-yard backstroke) and Brooke Madden (1 and 3-meter dive). Taylor Ault also returns to UF as she was named Second Team All-SEC and All-SEC freshman last season.

Schedule of Events vs. Florida:
1. 200 Medley Relay
2. 1000 Free
3. 200 Free
4. 100 Back
5. 100 Breast
6. 200 Fly
7. 50 Free
8. 3m Diving
9. 100 Free
10. 200 Back
11. 200 Breast
12. 500 Free
13. 100 Fly
14. 1m Diving
15. 200 IM
16. 400 Free Relay