Jan. 16, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky swimming and diving teams are back in action again on Saturday as the two teams host a dual meet with Alabama at the Lancaster Aquatic Center. The meet is slated to begin at noon.

Fresh off a pair of meets last week, the Blue and White return home for the first time in 2009. Kentucky enjoyed a stellar start to the second half of their seasons on the road last week. The men earned a dramatic come-from-behind victory over Missouri to cap-off an impressive week. In order for the Wildcats to pull off the upset they needed to finish 1-2 in both the individual medley and freestyle relay. Led by Shane Eliason’s top finish in the individual medley and then a dominating performance by the 200-free relay squad the Blue and White pulled off the upset.

On the women’s side, UK topped the Tigers as well in the tri-meet that also pitted Arkansas against the two squads. Sophomore Jenna Newsome enjoyed a breakout meet as she claimed first in both the 50- and 100-freestyle individual races.

In addition to the exciting start to the second half of the season, sophomore diver Jessie Snowden was named the SEC Diver of the Week on Tuesday. Snowden captured three victories in the two meets last week including a clean sweep at LSU. Snowden’s score on the one-meter board in Baton Rouge was a season-best clip.

This is the second of four consecutive Saturdays that the Wildcats will be in action to conclude their dual meet section of their 2009 schedule. Following the meet with Alabama, UK hosts in-state rival Louisville on Jan. 24. That meet will serve as Senior Day for the Blue and White. Additionally, thanks to a scheduling change the meet against Cincinnati is now slated for Jan. 31. Originally the meet was set for Feb. 7th.

For all of your UK swimming and diving news and results please visit UKathletics.com, the official homepage of the Kentucky Wildcats.