LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky swimming and diving opened their season with a dual meet against the No. 2/7 Indiana Hoosiers, ultimately falling short on both the women’s and men’s sides, but showing glimpses of strong performances from returners and newcomers. The women fell to the No. 7 Hoosiers with a final score of 187.50 to the Wildcats 112.50, and the No. 2 Hoosier men outscored No. 21 Kentucky 199 to 101.
The Wildcat is a major mix of new and old, with 29 returners and 21 newcomers. They leaned on many of the returners, with outstanding performances from junior Carson Hick, sophomores Katy Jost and Billie Sherratt, and seniors Grace Frericks, Ryan Merani, and Levi Sandidge. The newcomers also showed out with sophomore Olivia Stewart winning an event, and freshmen Sarah Anne Shaffer and Falemana Tuufui showing they are unphased by the large jump to the collegiate stage.
The newcomers gave a spark to the Kentucky side all morning, as Stewart (1:04.40) and Shaffer (1:05.35) got things going on the women’s side with a first and second finish in the 100 breaststroke. They continued as a powerful duo in the 200 breaststroke, finishing one and two once again, Shaffer this time on top with a 2:17.78 and Stewart at 2:18.01.
Tuufui, the French native, swam a fantastic meet as just a freshman and showed that he is a force to be reckoned with as he will continue to improve as the season goes on. He claimed two event victories in both the 50 freestyle (19.84) and 100 freestyle (44.00).
Jost finished second in the women’s 1000 freestyle (10:19.71) and 500 freestyle (5:00.20), which is a large improvement from her times at this point last year. Fellow sophomore Sherratt picked up the win in the 200 butterfly with a time of 2:01.81, with 2025 NCAA qualifier also gaining the Wildcats some points in the 200 backstroke with an event win (1:57.44).
On the dive side, sophomore Avery Giese led the women with two third place finishes for the day in both the 1M and 3M diving events.
Hick, a recent addition to the 2025-26 USA Swimming National Team, won both events he raced in. His 1000 freestyle time was 9:01.65 and his 500 freestyle time was 4:24.53 as he warms up for the rest of the season. Sandidge finished just a reach behind him in both races, with a 9:02.19 in the 1000 freestyle and 4:24.66 in the 500 freestyle. Both Wildcats also rank one and two for these events in the all-time program record book.
Merani, who was also an NCAA qualifier in 2025, pulled through with a victory in the 200 butterfly in 1:47.26.
The Wildcats look to move forward after competing against so many great athletes with the Hoosiers. The Kentucky swimming and diving program will make a quick turnaround, with their next meet on Friday, Oct. 24 against the LSU Tigers down in Baton Rouge.
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