March 1, 2003

Athens, Ga. – After two days of the Bulldog Invitational Swimming and Diving Competition at Georgia’s Gabrielson Natatorium the University of Kentucky men’s and swimming and diving teams are closer to their goal of getting into the NCAA Championships.

Freshman Laura Graham swam a 1:03.38 in the women’s 100-breast to qualify under the NCAA “B” cut of 1:03.93. Fellow freshman Shantel Commander also made the “B” cut with her 2:17.58 in the 200-breast (2:18.25). In the 100-back (56.80), sophomore Jessica Siegele made the “B” cut with a time of 56.30.

On the men’s side, junior Joey Faltraco qualified for yet another event when he swam in under the 1:49.91 “B” cut in the 200-IM, finishing in 1:49.85. The highlight for the men came in the 200-medley relay where the team of senior Roger Watkins, junior Fernando Barros, sophomore Daniel Cruz and freshman Daniel Farnham swam an impressive 1:27.95, almost a full two seconds under the “B” cut of 1:29.82, to all but assure them a spot in the NCAA Championship.

“We’re really happy with our times,” Coach Gary Conelly said. “Especially the 200-medley relay. For those guys to be able to pull out such a great time at the end of their taper is impressive.”

The Cats will complete the Bulldog Invitational on Sunday, March 2.