March 29, 1998

AUBURN, Ala. – Behind five All-America performances, the University of Kentucky registered its highest-ever finish at the NCAA Men’s Swimming & Diving championships at Auburn University over the weekend. The Wildcats recorded 39 points for a 24th-place showing, ahead of SEC rivals Alabama (25th – 34.0 points) and Florida (26th – 19.0 pts).

Senior diver Paco Rivera led the way for the Wildcats, turning in three top 15 finishes for three All-America awards. Rivera’s best finish was a second-place showing on the platform, registering a score of 803.90 for All-American honors. He also earned honorable mention All-America honors on the one and three-meter springboards, finishing 12th (484.45) and 14th (510.05), respectively.

Sophomore Nat Lewis earned honorable mention All-America honors in two events for the second straight year. Lewis finished 10th in the 1650 freestyle with a time of 15:12.95 and 10th in the 500 freestyle with a 4:22.03 result.