Minnesota’s men’s swimming and diving team suffered its second close loss in as many years Saturday at the hands of Florida.

The seventh-ranked Gophers lost 153-147 to the fourth-ranked Gators in Minnesota’s season-opener at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Natatorium in Gainesville, Fla.

Florida beat Minnesota 123-120 Oct. 30, 2003, at the University Aquatic Center.

Gophers junior Sean Kelly won both the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke – the first by a full second and the second by two full seconds.

Other Minnesota winners included senior Justin Mortimer in the 500 and 1,000 free, Terry Silkaitis in the 200 free, Adam Mitchell in the 200 back and the 400 free relay team of Mario Delac, Silkaitis, Neil Osten and Igor Cerensek.

Women win all events

Minnesota’s women’s swimming and diving team opened its season with a 194-98 win over Iowa State on Saturday in Ames, Iowa, sweeping all 16 events contested.

The Gophers’ Kate Hardt won three individual events: the 200 and 500 frees and the 200 individual medley.

Sarah Perrott won both the 50 and 100 frees, Mary Patrek won the 100 and 200 breaststroke events, and Katie Wind won both the 100 and 200 backs.

Men’s golf eighth in N.C.

Minnesota’s men’s golf team finished eighth out of 12 teams in the Landfall Tradition on Sunday in Wilmington, N.C. The Gophers as a team shot 292-287-294 for a three-round total of 873.

Ben Greve and Bronson La’Cassie both tied for 13th place individually, finishing with a 214 for the weekend.

Rowing sweeps in Iowa

Minnesota’s rowing team won all four events Sunday in the Head of the Iowa regatta in Iowa City, Iowa.

The Gophers’ Varsity Eight boat beat 18 competitors in the Open Eight competition.

Minnesota also took three of the top five spots in the Open Four field.