Dec. 4, 2009
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky swimming and diving teams enjoyed perhaps the best November invitational meet under head coach Gary Conelly at the Tennessee Invitational two weeks ago. Saturday’s home meet with Indiana will mark the first competition for the Blue and White since that successful run at the UT Invite.
UK’s women came away with the title at the meet and saw a number of fantastic performances from several individuals. Senior Megan Pulskamp scored three individual victories and a runner-up finish while achieving NCAA `B’ time standards in all four events. In all the Wildcat women posted 66 top times of the season at the meet.
Kentucky’s women also had four relays earn NCAA `B’ time standards as UK also dominated in the team events. The medley relay quartet of Chatham Penrod, Lindsey Graessle, Pulskamp and Jenna Newsome combined to give UK two of its four relay qualifying time standards.
On the men’s side UK placed second overall and Tyler Reed enjoyed one of the best meets of his career. The junior scored two individual victories and had a runner-up finish on his way to earning SEC Swimmer of the Week honors. Reed’s 200-freestyle time of 1:35.26 currently still stands as the fastest time registered in the nation thus far. His 100-free time also ranks among the top-three in the nation. The men had 76 times that were the best of the season for its team.
For the men, Kentucky has two relays that also hold the fastest times in the nation through the mid-way point of the season. The Wildcats’ 200-free and 400-free relays are rated as the top combination of four swimmers in the country. The 200-free relay is made up of Eric McGinnis, Warren Grobbelaar, Colin Faris and Alex Forbes. UK’s 400-free relay consists of Reed, Kyle Greene, Grobbelaar and Forbes.
Kentucky and Indiana will meet in their annual showdown. UK and the Hoosier men have met in each of the last 12 seasons, while the women have faced off in the last four years.
Stay tuned to UK’s official website for a complete recap following the competition. For the most up-to-date information regarding the Kentucky swimming and diving squads please visit UKathletics.com.
