Jan. 7, 2011
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky swimming and diving teams have been hitting the road hard recently, and have one more leg on their trip, a date in Chapel Hill, N.C., on Saturday against Atlantic Coast Conference foes North Carolina and Clemson.
The meet will begin at 11 a.m. at the Koury Natatorium on North Carolina’s campus. The meet was originally scheduled to take place at Clemson, but due to a conflict with Clemson University’s aquatics facility, it was moved to North Carolina.
Kentucky, whose road trip includes three meets in just four days, won its first of three tri-meets Wednesday, with both the men’s and women’s sides claiming convincing victories over the Savannah College of Art and Design and Limestone College.
The men’s team fell to South Carolina 189.50-110.50, but defeated the College of Charleston 243-52. Going down to the final relay, the Kentucky women’s 400 freestyle relay team of Kayla Sergesketter, Mandy Myers, Chelsea Peterson and Jenna Newsome came out victorious and the Wildcats earned a narrow 144-137 win over the Gamecocks. The Kentucky women also defeated the College of Charleston by a score of 224-63. By sweeping South Carolina and the College of Charleston, the women’s team has earned their second sweep in a tri-meet in just three days.
“We are expecting more good swims from our teams tomorrow,” UK head coach Gary Conelly said. “Both Clemson and UNC will offer serious competition. Our athletes are eager to meet this challenge and cap this demanding road trip off with some fast swims (Saturday).”
The men’s side for the Cats has been led in the 100 and 200 backstroke by freshman William Heidler, as well as the 200 and 400 individual medleys. Matt Russell, a junior from Augusta, Ga., leads UK in the 100 breaststroke and the 100 butterfly.
The men’s diving team has been led by freshman Greg Ferrucci. The Huntersville, N.C., native is first on the team on the one- and three-meter diving boards as well as the platform. Ferrucci has qualified for zone championships in each of the three events.
UK’s women’s squad has been balanced this year, with senior Kayla Sergesketter guiding UK in the sprint freestyle races, freshman Kelly Titus leading the distance freestyle races, Chatham Penrod topping the backstroke races, Claire Archibald leading the individual medleys, and Lindsey Graessle leading the breaststroke. Graessle, a senior, currently ranks fifth in the Southeastern Conference in the 100 breast. The Wildcats’ women’s relay teams have performed well all year, boasting teams in the top three of the SEC in the 200 freestyle relay, 200 medley relay and the 400 medley relay.
Senior Lisa Faulkner leads Kentucky in diving, ranking first on the team in the one- and three-meter boards and the platform. Faulkner, a Midlothian, Va., native, has already qualified for zone championships in the one- and three-meter boards.
Kentucky’s men’s side, currently ranked just outside the latest CollegeSwimming.com/CSCAA Division I top-25 poll at No. 33, will be going up against the 12th-ranked Tar Heels who are undefeated on the season with victories over No. 11 Georgia and No. 13 Minnesota, in addition to East Carolina and Maryland. Clemson is 3-1 this season in dual meets. The Tigers defeated Davidson, Georgia Tech and Florida Atlantic during the fall portion of their schedule.
The Kentucky women are also currently ranked just outside of the latest CollegeSwimming.com/CSCAA Division I top-25 poll. The women’s swimming and diving team is ranked No. 30, while the Tar Heels check in at No. 11. The UNC women are 3-1 on the season with wins over East Carolina, Maryland and No. 13 Minnesota. Clemson’s women’s team is also 3-1. The Tigers have taken down Davidson, Georgia Tech and Florida Atlantic.
The UK men and women will be going up against some of the top swimmers in the ACC. Steve Cebertowicz leads the UNC men in the sprint freestyle events, and Joe Kinderwater leads the Heels in the distance freestyle events. Tommy Wyher is first for UNC in the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly, and is the leadoff swimmer on many of its top relay teams. On the women’s side, Rebecca Kane is first for the Heels in the sprint freestyle races, while Layne Brodie guides UNC in the 100 and 200 breaststroke and 200 IM.
Junior Chris Dart leads the Clemson men’s squad in the 100 and 200 backstroke and 200 IM. Clemson sophomore Tori Cervone will lead the Tigers’ women’s team. Cervone is first on the Clemson team in the 200 backstroke, 200 butterfly, and 200 and 400 individual medleys.
Stay tuned to UKathletics.com for results from Saturday’s meet against North Carolina and Clemson, and all Kentucky swimming and diving news.
