Oct. 28, 2002

Lexington, Ky. – The University of Kentucky men’s swimming team has been ranked No. 21 by the College Swimming Coaches of America in its initial poll of the season, it was announced on Monday, Oct. 28. The team comes off a 2001-02 season in which it finished 16th at the NCAA Championships, its highest finish ever.

This year’s team, UK’s deepest in years, is led by senior Roger Watkins and junior Joey Faltraco. Watkins collected NCAA “B” cuts last season in both the 100y and 200y-breaststrokes. He is the all-time UK record-holder in both events. Faltraco, who, earlier this summer was named to the United States Pan Am Games team, is the school record-holder in five events. Last season he finished 11th in the 200y-backstroke at the NCAA Championships, earning him honorable mention All-America honors.

The UK men have fallen to No. 12 Georgia and No. 8 Tennessee thus far this season after winning the inaugural Kentucky Relay Meet to start the year. They will next be in action when they travel to Columbia, S.C., to take on Southeastern Conference-rival South Carolina on Friday, Nov. 1.