Nov. 27, 2013
LEXINGTON, Ky. – On the heels of breaking two school records, junior swimmer Christina Bechtel was named the Southeastern Conference Swimmer of the Week Tuesday for the second time this season.
Bechtel broke two school records, set two meet records and recorded three NCAA ‘A’ or ‘B’ qualifying times in seven events Nov. 22-24 at the Ohio State Invitational. Competing against four teams, three of them ranked in the top 14 nationally, Bechtel posted career best times in all individual events.
“Christina had a great meet this past weekend and it is a well-deserved honor,” UK head coach Lars Jorgensen said. “We look forward to her keep getting better as we continue to prepare for SECs and NCAAs.”
It is the second SEC weekly award for Bechtel in her career. The Franklin, Tenn., native was also tabbed the conference’s Swimmer of the Week earlier this season on Oct. 15.
Bechtel swam a 1:54.21 in the 200 fly, the fastest in UK history by over four seconds and the record time in the eight year history of the OSU Invite. She also recorded a 51.36 in the 100 butterfly, marking the best time in UK history. Both school record times are NCAA ‘A’ qualifying times. Among SEC teams, Bechtel owns the two fastest times in the 100 fly and two of the top three fastest times in the 200 fly. Bechtel also placed second in the 400 medley relay along with four additional top-11 finishes.
The Ohio State Invitational signaled the end of the fall season for the Wildcats. Select UK swimmers will compete at the 2013 AT&T Winter National Championships, Dec. 5-7 in Knoxville, Tenn., while divers will compete at the USA Diving Winter National Championships Dec. 17-22 in Austin, Texas. Kentucky will also compete at the Georgia Diving Invitational Jan. 3-5 in Athens, Ga.
The spring season officially resumes when UK travels to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to race SEC-foes Alabama and Arkansas on Jan. 11. The Wildcats return home Feb. 1 against Cincinnati in the final home contest of the season.
For complete news and updates on the Kentucky Swimming and Diving program, go to UKathletics.com/SwimmingDiving. Breaking news, behind-the-scenes updates, photos and more can be found on Twitter at @UKSwimDive and Facebook at Facebook.com/UKSwimDive.
