ATHENS, Ga. — Dorothy had it right. There’s no place like home.
The past and present members of Georgia’s swimming and diving team know that all too well. On Saturday, the Lady Bulldogs will be attempting to win their 100th consecutive meet within the friendly confines of Gabrielsen Natatorium when Wisconsin visits at 10 a.m.
Georgia’s women are 100-1 all-time at home dating back to the start of the 1995-96 season. After starting off 1-1 in their new digs that year, the Lady Bulldogs have been untouchable since, claiming a Division I record of 99 consecutive victories.
“The motivation of the winning streak is a big deal to our kids,” Georgia head coach Jack Bauerle said. “We don’t have to say too much to get them fired up, especially our seniors who don’t want it to end on their watch. We’re all excited about this opportunity.”
To put the 99-straight streak in perspective, on Nov. 8, 1995, when it started:
• “Seinfeld” was the nation’s top-rated show, and the “No soup for you” episode originally aired a week earlier. Other shows in the top 20 included: “ER,” “Friends,” “Home Improvement,” “Coach,” “NYPD Blue,” “Roseanne,” “Frasier,” and “Murphy Brown.”
• The original “Toy Story” was the No. 1 movie.
• The nearly year-long O.J. Simpson double-murder trial had ended a month earlier.
• A gallon of gas cost about $1.15.
• 12 members of the current UGA squad had not yet been born.
“It means a lot more to us than people may think,” Bauerle said. “We’re proud of the amount of wins, but the greatest accomplishment may be that it encompasses 20 years. That connects all the swimmers and divers who have competed in this pool to something special. The team in 1995-96 started it off and it’s been fun to watch it evolve.”
Other notable home win streaks from collegiate athletics include: Miami (Fla.) football, 58 wins from 1985-94; Kentucky men’s basketball, 129 wins from 1943-55; and Connecticut women’s basketball, 99 wins from 2007-12.
Prior to Saturday’s meet, the members of Georgia’s senior class — Hali Flickinger, Brittany MacLean, Annie Zhu, Crawford Berry, Matias Koski, Michael Trice, Nick Salyers, Ty Stewart, Garrett Powell, Aidan Sweeney and Spencer Madanay — will be recognized.
Swimming news courtesy of Georgia Swimming & Diving.
