Swimming & Diving Prepares for a Weekend Against Auburn & Cincinnati
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky swimming & diving is back at home at the Lancaster Aquatic Center Friday, Jan. 17 as they host the nationally ranked Auburn Tigers at 12 p.m. and then back at it again on the road Saturday, Jan. 18 at Cincinnati starting at 11:30 a.m. Friday’s meet against the Tigers will air on SEC Network+ and offers free admission for the public.
Kentucky’s women’s team is looking for two more wins on the season, after splitting results versus Notre Dame and Purdue last weekend. Two of the women remain ranked in the top 50 times in the country this season, which are junior Grace Frericks and fifth-year Bridget Engel. Frericks sits 46th in the 200 back and Engel is currently 28th in the 100 breast and 31st in the 200 breast.
After receiving votes in the latest poll from the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA), the men’s team also looks to continue their success on the season following a win against Purdue. Carson Hick, who is 10th in the 1650 free and 21st in the 500 free, is one of four ranked Wildcats on the men’s side. Levi Sandidge is ranked 12th in the mile and 21st in the 400 IM. Ryan Merani (31st, 200 fly) and Jonathan Rom (33rd, 200 breast) are also noted as top-50 performers.
The Friday matchup pits the Cats against Southeastern Conference opponent Auburn, who currently ranks No. 19 on the women’s side and No. 14 on the men’s. The Cincinnati Bearcats will be another challenge on Saturday, as the Wildcats will look for their 15th consecutive sweep over the Bearcats. Live results for both meets will be available via Meet Mobile. The swimming portion of the meet at Cincinnati is set for a 2 p.m. start at Keating Aquatic Center.
NCAA B-Standards this season:
- Lauren West – 200 free
- Libby Grether – 500 free
- Samantha Hamilton – 500 free, 1650 free
- Grace Frericks – 100 back, 200 back
- Torie Buerger – 200 back
- Paige Taber – 200 back
- Bridget Engel – 100 breast, 200 breast
- Billie Sherratt – 200 fly
- Hayden Penny – 200 IM, 400 IM
- Fernanda de Goeij – 400 IM
- Carson Hick – 500 free, 1650 free, 400 IM
- Levi Sandidge – 500 free, 1650 free, 400 IM
- Caue Gluck – 500 free
- Chris Nagy – 1650 free
- Devin Naoroz – 100 back, 200 back
- Szymon Mieczkowski – 200 back
- Adomas Gatulis – 100 breast
- Jonathan Rom – 200 breast
- Ryan Merani – 200 fly
On the diving side, both the men and women will have the chance to partake in the 1-meter and 3-meter springboards in both duals this weekend. Last meet, fifth-year Sam Duncan and senior Abby Devereaux led the way for the Wildcats, who look to continue their success this weekend.
Action will begin at 12 p.m. on Friday and 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Live results can be found on DiveMeets.
NCAA Zone Cuts this season:
- Sam Duncan – 1-meter, 3-meter
- Gavin Hang – 3-meter
- Devynn Bishop – 3-meter, platform
- Abby Devereaux – 1-meter, 3-meter, platform
- Avery Giese – 1-meter, 3-meter
- Claire McDaniels – 1-meter, platform
- Kristy Pfaff – 1-meter, 3-meter
For the latest on UK Swim & Dive, follow the Wildcats on X and Instagram at @UKSwimDive, and on Facebook at Kentucky Swimming and Diving.
