Two Florida Swimmers Suspended Indefinitely After Shoplifting Charges

In breaking news that will surely affect the SEC, if not National, Championship races, Florida swimmers Lily Ramirez and Daniela Victoria were arrested at a mall in Gainesville yesterday after they confessed to stealing two jackets from a Nordstroms, according to Fox News.

Ramirez, a sophomore out of Gainesville, was a backstroker and freestyler who was on the cusp of factoring into at least one of Florida’s relays. Last season, as a freshman, she scored 18 points at the SEC Championships thanks to a 6th place finish in the 100 back and a 12th place finish in the 200 back. Victoria, a junior out of Plantation, Florida, is a breaststroker and IM’er, didn’t swim at SEC’s last year, but as the Gators’ number two 100 breaststroker, and number three 200 breaststroker, this season, she also was likely to chip in a few points at this year’s Championship.

“We are extremely disappointed in the actions of two of our student-athletes this past weekend. Both individuals have been suspended indefinitely, and will miss the 2011 SEC Swimming Championships and beyond,” Troy told the Orlando Sentinel. The two returned the jackets and were released from jail pending charges on misdemeanor petty theft.

All-told, these two swimmers would not have been huge factors, directly, in the team’s SEC scoring, but it can’t be underestimated what another stick-in-the-spokes will mean for the defending National Champions. They both would have been expected to contribute points in a noticeable way.  This is the latest in a tumultuous season for the Gators where their best breaststroker transfered, Shara Stafford’s freak health issues, and team leader Teresa Crippen took a leave in the middle of the season to help her family cope with the tragic passing of her brother Fran. Coach Troy will have one of his toughest coaching jobs yet to keep this squad focused during the Championship season.

Victoria is also a member of the Venezuelan National Team and competed at the 2009 World Championships. There has been no word yet from that federation as to how this affects her status with that program.