Galyer, Wetzlar Set for 2019 FINA World Championships

GWANGJU, South Korea – Joining a field of Olympians and world-record holders, two University of Kentucky swimmers are set to compete against the world’s premiere talent at the 2019 FINA World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, July 21-28.
 
Senior Peter Wetzlar will represent his native country of Zimbabwe in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle, and senior Ali Galyer will represent New Zealand in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke. This summer marked the first time in Galyer’s career that she swam in a New Zealand pool, earning qualification into the FINA World Championships. The senior also has citizenship in three other countries – Australia, Canada and the United States.
 
Each swimming event at the FINA World Championships consists of two semifinals heats (top 16) and a finals competition (top eight). Taking the pool first, Galyer will swim in the 100-meter backstroke July 22-23. She’ll then compete in the 200-meter backstroke July 26-27. Making his debut in the international pool, Wetzlar competes in the 100-meter freestyle field July 24-25 and the 50-meter freestyle field July 26-27.
 
Both Wildcats are coming off record-setting seasons. At the 2019 NCAA Championships, Galyer set a personal-best time in the 100-yard backstroke in 52.53. In addition, she earned eighth place in the 200-yard backstroke national field on a mark of 1:50.74, on her way to becoming an eight-time All-American. That came just one month after she earned a silver medal at the Southeastern Conference Championships in the event for her season-best 1:50.39.
 
Last summer, Galyer reset her personal best in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke. In the 100-meter backstroke, she earned a 1:01.61 at the 2018 Pan Pacific Championships, and in the 200-meter backstroke, she recorded a 2:09.77 at the 2018 Summer Nationals.
 
Wetzlar reset his 50- and 100-yard freestyle best times at the 2019 SEC Championships, earning a 19.49 and a 42.77, respectively, currently leading the program in each of those disciplines. In the long-course pool, Wetzlar reset the 50-meter freestyle Zimbabwe record on a time of 22.87 at the 2018 Winter National Championships in November. He also swam the lead leg of the All-American 400-yard freestyle relay team at the 2019 national meet on a split time of 43.13.
 
For those interested in following the FINA World Championships, you can download the free FINA app on your smart devices. Fans can also visit the meet site, follow the FINATV Live Stream and keep up with the live results.
 
For the latest on the Kentucky swimming and diving program, follow @UKSwimDive on Twitter and on Instagram, on Facebook and on the web at UKathletics.com.