LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky swimming and diving program fell short to the Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville on Thursday afternoon. The men contested the Volunteers 171.66 to 124.33, ultimately coming up short, as did the women’s squad with 93.5 points in comparison to Tennessee’s 205.5.

Dive started things off earlier this week, competing early before they headed down to Texas for USA Dive Nationals. Sophomore Aver Giese picked up a second place finish in the 1M and a third place finish in the 3M. Kristy Pfaff picked up a top three finish of her own, placing third in the 1M. For the men’s diving side, freshman Gabriel Perdigao finished third in the 3M as well.

In the pool on Thursday, the swimmers started the day of strong on the men’s side, taking the top spot in the 200 medley relay of Falemana Tuufui, Lysander Osman, Adomas Gatulis, and Esteban Nunez Del Prado with a time of 1:24.43. The distance swimmers continued the momentum, with junior Libby Grether taking the top spot in the 1000 free (9:50.55) with Housman (9:54.40), Jost (9:54.44), and Guerrero Cho (9:58.13) finishing right behind in order. Sandidge (8:55.84) and Miskinis (9:01.88) also went one, two in the 1000 free for the men.

Senior captain Madi McGlothen finished as runner up in the 200 free (1:46.89), as well as Osman in the 100 back (47.36), and Gatulis in the 200 breast (53.18). Sophomore Billie Sherratt swam for second in the 200 fly (1:58.99), as did Lopez Guillen (1:44.81) in that same event.

Before the first break, freshman Falemana Tuufui swam for a three-way, first-place tie with two Volunteers in 19.41. Three other duo’s went one, two in the 100 breast, Olivia Stewart (2:11.57) and Sarah Anne Shaffer (2:13.28), as well as Gatulis (1:56.77) and John Rom (1:57.88). Junior Carson Hick (4:18.57) and Sandidge (4:18.72) raced to the end for the 500 free, also finishing first and second. To round the individual events out it was senior captain Ryan Merani once again in the 200 IM, claiming the top spot in 1:46.61.

The Wildcats now look towards a small break for the holidays before they return to the competition pool at the Lancaster Aquatic Center on Jan. 9 and 10 against Missouri and Notre Dame.

For the latest on UK Swim & Dive, follow the Wildcats on X and Instagram at @UKSwimDive, and on Facebook at Kentucky Swimming and Diving.