Emma Weyant Makes Florida Debut as Florida Sweeps FAU
Emma Weyant made her debut for Florida in its first meet of the spring semester and final home dual meet of the season, against FAU. Weyant, a two-time NCAA medalist last year at the University of Virginia won three events to help the Gators coast to a sweep.
The women’s team claimed a 207-83 win over the Owls on Friday. The men prevailed, 209-77. It’s the 17th straight win for the No. 8 ranked women and 15th straight for the fourth-ranked men.
Weyant won the 200 freestyle in 1:47.49. She registered NCAA B cuts in her other two events, claiming the 500 free in 4:45.14 and the 400 individual medley in 4:10.60. Weyant, the silver medalist in the 400 IM at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, finished second at NCAAs in the 500 free and fourth in the 400 IM last year.
Weyant and her new teammates faced little resistance Friday. Talia Bates and Katie Mack were on both winning Gators relays. Mack won the 100 free. Aris Runnels went from the winning 200 medley relay to claiming the 100 back. Medley breaststroker Nina Kucheran edged Runnels for the top time in the 200 IM. Ekaterina Nikonova won the 50 free, finished second in the 100 fly and split a team-best 48.69 on the 400 free relay. Olivia Peoples added the second-fastest time in the 100 free to the win in the 100 fly, an NCAA B cut of 53.52.
Maha Amer won both diving events, scoring 328.13 on 3-meter and 311.63 on 1-meter.
The men’s performance was similarly comprehensive. Julian Smith, Joshua Liendo and Macguire McDuff led the way with legs on both winning relays.
Smith added a win in the 50 free, edging medley relay mate Adam Chaney. Smith also won the 100 fly ahead of Jace Crawford, who claimed the 200 fly. Dillon Hillis paired the 100 breast win with third in the 100 fly. Jake Mitchell won the 200 back and was second in the 100 back. Brennan Gravley won the 1,000 and finished second in the 200 IM.
On the boards, Leonardo Garcia missed the school record in the 3-meter diving, posting a score of 437.33. He was second to teammate Skip Donald on 1-meter.
