Swimming & Diving

Jan. 18, 2002

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams will return to competition after a two-month layoff as South Carolina and Arkansas visit the Lancaster Aquatic Center on Saturday for a noon meet.

The Wildcat men (1-4, 0-4 Southeastern Conference) and women (1-4, 0-4 SEC) have both already faced the Gamecocks this season, swimming against them in Florida at the SEC East Challenge in October. The men were defeated 132-110 while the women fell 123.50-108.50.

“We are definitely looking forward to the meet tomorrow,” UK Coach Gary Conelly said. “We have been training a little differently as of late and we should see some fast times throughout the meet.”

The UK men are led by junior co-captain Roger Watkins and sophomore Joey Faltraco. Watkins’ time of 54.85 in the 100 breaststroke is currently the sixth-fastest collegiate time recorded while his 1:59.86 in the 200 breaststroke is 11th. Faltraco, who is in his first year with the Wildcats after transferring from USC, has already set three school records (50.13 – 100 backstroke, 1:45.68 – 200 backstroke, 3:54.10 – 400 IM).

In the women’s lanes, sophomore Shawna Sechrist finds herself ranked among the best collegians in the 100 backstroke (56.47) and the 200 backstroke (2:00.36). Freshman Chrissy Miller also has been impressive, clocking a 4:49.84 in the 500 freestyle to lead three Wildcats in the nation’s top-50 times in that event.

The Gamecock men, who are ranked No. 9 in the latest College Swimming Coaches Association of America poll, are 5-1 (2-1 SEC) in dual meet action, including a win over Florida, and have not lost since their first meet against Tennessee. Senior Zsolt Gaspar leads the way for the Gamecocks, owning the fastest time in the conference in the 50 freestyle (19.78), the 100 freestyle (44.09) and the 100 butterfly (48.28).

The South Carolina women are 4-2 (1-2 SEC) with their losses coming to Tennessee and Florida. USC is led by Anna Nyiry whose time of 54.92 in the 100 butterfly is currently the second-fastest time in the conference and her 50 freestyle time of 23.35 is currently fifth.

The Arkansas women come to town with a 4-1 (0-1 SEC) record with their lone loss coming to conference foe LSU in the season opener. UA is led by junior Cheyne Bees who set two school records (1:49.65 – 200 freestyle, 2:01.66 – 200 backstroke) during the Arkansas Invitational and was named the SEC Swimmer of the Week the first week in January.

Last season, the UK women competed against both the Gamecocks and Lady Razorbacks in a tri-meet at Arkansas with UK winning both meets. Arkansas does not field a men’s team.


-UK-

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