Oct. 30, 2003
LEXINGTON – The University of Kentucky men’s swimming team held off a late Indiana rally Thursday evening to defeat the Hoosiers for the first time in three seasons by a 119-112 count at UK’s Lancaster Aquatic Center. The victory for UK Coach Gary Conelly is his second men’s team victory over his alma mater and his first men’s victory over the Hoosiers in Lexington.
Sophomore Steven Manley, competing in his first meet of the season, found the meet’s second event, the 1000-yard freestyle, to his liking, claiming the event in 9:25.84. Manley’s win kicked off an eight-event win streak for the Wildcats that finally ended with an Indiana victory in the 500-yard freestyle. Sophomore Daniel Farnham took victories in the 50 and 100-yard freestyle events and junior Jerram Chudleigh answered with wins in the 200-yard individual medley and 200-yard backstroke. Junior Daniel Cruz also won the 200-yard butterfly for Kentucky.
A needed boost to the Wildcats’ overall performance came from junior diver Mario Rodriguez. The native of Mexico City claimed a narrow victory in the one-meter and followed with a somewhat wider victory in the three-meter, taking both events over Indiana’s Ryan Fagan.
UK Diving Coach Mike Lyden was thrilled with the performance of his lone male diver.
“Tonight was his best meet,” Lyden said. “After blowing out his knee last season and having major reconstructive surgery, Mario has really come up with some great efforts. This is his coming-out week, of sorts. He channeled his nerves, and I couldn’t be happier for him.”
Conelly cited a collective team effort as a major factor in the Kentucky victory.
“We didn’t depend on one single individual tonight. Everyone had an impact,” Conelly said.”Steven (Manley) came in with a lot of weight on his shoulders and did a really good job. Jerram (Chudleigh) and Eric Weber were just awesome. Dave Roberts swam a great 200-yard backstroke. Everyone was on top of their line tonight.”The Cats dive back into the pool once again Friday with a tri-meet. Kentucky welcomes the men’s and women’s teams from Louisville and the women’s team from Houston to the Lancaster Aquatic Center for a 5 p.m. EST battle.
