Feb. 1, 2003
Baton Rouge, La. – The University of Kentucky men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams split a decision with the Louisiana State Tigers on Saturday, Feb. 1, at the LSU Natatorium in Baton Rouge, La. The UK women fell by a score of 177-114, while the men put on a dominating performance to pick up their first Southeastern Conference victory, 165-123.
For the UK men (3-3, 1-3 SEC) freshman Steven Manley was the star of the day, as he won three individual events and anchored the men’s 400-yard relay win. He won the 200-free (1:37.66), 500-free (4:32.46) and 200-IM (1:53.73). Along with fellow freshman Daniel Farnham, junior Fernando Barros and sophomore Daniel Cruz, Manley and the Cats were able to take the 400-freestyle relay with a time of 3:00.62. Senior Roger Watkins also put in a hard day’s work winning the 100-breast (55.76) and 200-breast (2:02.76), and finishing second in the 50-free (20.93) to Barros (20.91). Cruz picked up the victory in the 200-butterfly with a time of 1:49.64 and finished second in the 100-butterfly (49.42). Farnham took the 100-free with a time of 45.40. Senior All-American diver Clayton Moss was victorious in both the one-meter and three-meter springboards.
The UK women (1-5, 0-4 SEC) had a tough day but were able to post wins in three events. Sophomore Chrissy Miller won the 200-free with a time of 1:52.83 and also helped the 400-freestyle relay team to victory with a time of 3:34.49. The women’s best performance was in the 200-IM, where freshmen Shantel Commander (2:09.30) and Laura Graham (2:10.69) and junior Kendra Trahan (2:14.78) were the top three finishers. Freshman Brennon Moore finished second in the 1650-free (17:14.13) and JoAnna McLean finished second in the 100-free (53.30).
Both teams will be back in action of Friday, Feb. 7 when they travel to Bloomington, Ind., to take on border rival Indiana.
