Kentucky Dominates Cincinnati in Saturday Dual Meet
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky swimming and diving teams continued their busy weekend with dominant performances over Cincinnati in both swimming and diving. The Wildcats excelled across the board with new NCAA zone cuts, historic scores and strong podium finishes highlighting the meet. Kentucky’s women defeated Cincinnati, 179-116, while the men secured a 164-136 victory.
In the diving events, Kristy Pfaff delivered an exceptional performance on the women’s 1-meter dive, earning a score of 309.75, the ninth highest in school history and securing first place. On the 3-meter board, Abby Devereaux led the way with a first-place finish (325.50), and Claire McDaniels scored 300.50, achieving a new NCAA zone cut and adding to Kentucky’s diving success.
Sam Duncan also impressed in the 1-meter event with a strong first-place finish of his own (352.55). Continuing on the men’s side, Gavin Hang had an incredible showing on the 3-meter board, achieving first place with a score of 390.45, the eighth-highest in school history and a personal best. Hang also earned a new NCAA zone cut on the 1-meter dive with a score of 308.50 to complete his successful competition day.
In the pool, the Wildcats maintained their momentum. The women’s 1000 freestyle saw Sammie Hamilton lead a Kentucky sweep, finishing first, followed by Paige Housman in second and Katy Jost in third. Hamilton also secured second in the women’s 500 freestyle, with Hayden Penny claiming the top spot (4:49.74) and Housman rounding out the podium in third. Penny added another victory (1:47.95) in the women’s 200 freestyle, with Lauren West taking second.
The Wildcats also excelled in backstroke events. Grace Frericks captured victories in both the women’s 100 backstroke (53.63) and 100 freestyle (49.33). In the women’s 200 backstroke, Torie Buerger (1:57.22) claimed first place, with teammates Fernanda De Goeij (1:57.62) and Libby Grether (1:57.69) finishing second and third, respectively.
In the breaststroke, Bridget Engel led another Kentucky sweep, winning the women’s 200 event. Olivia Mendenhall and Denise Phelan completed the podium with second and third place finishes. Billie Sherratt added to the women’s successes, taking first in the 200 butterfly.
Ryan Merani was the standout performer on the men’s side, dominating multiple events, including the 200 freestyle, 100 butterfly and 200 individual medley. Merani’s effort in the 200 IM resulted in a new B-standard cut time of 1:45.58. Carson Hick impressed in the men’s 200 butterfly and 500 freestyle, leading Kentucky to a sweep in the latter. Hick (4:20.02) finished first, followed by Levi Sandidge (4:20.98) in second.
The Kentucky men wrapped up the meet with a strong showing in the men’s 400 freestyle relay. The team of Max Berg, Justin Peresse, Logan Ingerick and Carson Hick claimed first place with a time of 2:55.42, while the Wildcats’ B team secured second.
Kentucky will look toward its last meet at home this season on Saturday, Jan. 25. The senior day meet is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., with senior recognition beforehand. Results will be available on Meet Mobile and DiveMeets.
Kentucky Event Winners –
- Sammie Hamilton: 1000 Free
- Hayden Penny: 200 Free, 500 Free
- Ryan Merani: 200 Free, 100 Fly, 200 IM
- Grace Frericks: 200 Breast, 100 Back
- Torie Buerger: 200 Back
- Carson Hick: 500 Free, 200 Fly
- Bridget Engel: 200 Breast
- Billie Sherratt: 200 Fly
- Kristy Pfaff: 1-meter
- Sam Duncan: 1-meter
- Abby Devereaux: 3-meter
- Gavin Hang: 3-meter
- Max Berg, Justin Pèresse, Logan Ingerick, Carson Hick: 400 Free Relay
New NCAA Zone Cuts
- Gavin Hang: 1-meter (308.50)
- Claire McDaniels: 3-meter (300.50)
New Standard B-cut
- Ryan Merani: 200 IM (1:45.58)
New Top-10 Times
- Kristy Pfaff: 1-meter (309.75) – ninth highest of all time
- Gavin Hang: 3-meter (390.45) – eighth highest of all time
For the latest on UK Swim & Dive, follow the Wildcats on Twitter and Instagram at @UKSwimDive, and on Facebook at Kentucky Swimming and Diving.
