Special report on the Florida Gators swimming team:
The College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) All-American teams were announced on Wednesday morning, as 13 University of Florida women’s swimmers received All-American recognition for the 2019-20 season.
Due to the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, the CSCAA decided to change its criteria for the award, as “all relays achieving ‘A” standards, individuals selected to the NCAA Championships, and divers entered in uncontested events from the Zone C Diving Qualification meet” were named Division I All-Americans for the 2019-20 season. Since 1985, the top-eight finishers at the NCAA Championships earned first-team distinctions, while consolation finishers received honorable mention recognition.
Florida’s 13 honorees totaled 36 overall honors, led by Sherridon Dressel and Vanessa Pearl with three individual honors. Taylor Ault, Leah Braswell, Kelly Fertel and Ashley McCool also earned multiple individual accolades.
Bella Garofalo tied for a team-best four relay accolades with Dressel, appearing on UF’s 200 free, 400 free, 200 medley and 400 medley relays that earned All-American recognition after meeting the time standard set by the NCAA this season.
This year’s honor marks the first career All-American accolade for Emma Ball, Talia Bates, Leah Braswell, Savanna Faulconer, Kathleen Golding, Gabby Hillis, and Nikki Miller.
The Gators finished the 2019-20 campaign with a second-place finish at the 2020 Southeastern Conference Championships in Auburn, Ala. Over the five days of competition, Florida tallied seven medals and registered 10 top-10 program swims, 36 season-bests and 28 personal-bests
During the regular season, the team posted the best dual meet record (8-1) since 2007-08, including starting off the season by winning their first eight duals.
After their 5-0 start, the team became the No. 1 team in the CSCAA Top 25 Poll, the first time the women’s team has been the top-ranked team since the 2010 National Championship team.
Gator All-Americans
Taylor Ault (2)- 500 Free, 1,650 Free
Emma Ball (3)- 100 Back, 200 Medley Relay, 400 Medley Relay
Talia Bates (2)- 200 Free Relay, 400 Free Relay
Leah Braswell (2)- 500 Free and 1,650 Free
Sherridon Dressel (7)- 100 fly, 100 back, 200 back, 200 Free Relay, 400 Free Relay, 200 Medley Relay, 400 Medley Relay
Savanna Faulconer (1)- 400 IM
Kelly Fertel (2)- 200 IM and 400 IM
Bella Garofalo (5)- 100 Free, 200 Free Relay, 400 Free Relay, 200 Medley Relay, 400 Medley Relay
Kathleen Golding (1)- 400 IM
Gabby Hillis (3)- 100 Free, 200 Free Relay, 400 Free Relay
Ashley McCool (2)- 1-Meter and 3-Meter
Nikki Miller (1)- 1,650 Free
Vanessa Pearl (5)- 200 IM, 400 IM, 200 Breast, 200 Medley Relay, 400 Medley Relay