Lexington, Ky. – The Kentucky men?s swimming and diving team will conclude its season this weekend in Atlanta at the Men?s NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. Beginning Thursday, the nation?s top swimmers and divers will gather at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center to compete for this season?s title.
The Cats head to Atlanta with three key contributors from the 2005 squad along with two of their top freshmen performers. Last season at the NCAA Championships, the Cats finished a program-best 12th.
At this weekend’s meet, the UK men’s team will be led by its two seniors, Daniel Farnham and Steven Manley, who will be appearing in their fourth NCAA Championships. In Farnham?s previous three trips to the NCAA Championships, the Mount Berry, Ga., native has garnered 12 All-American honors. Last season, Farnham was a part of three relay teams that gained All-America recognition by finishing in the top-8. This season Farnham will compete on two relay teams and will also be swimming in the 50 freestyle, the 100 freestyle and the 200 freestyle events.
Manley, a native of Dublin, Ireland, also returns to the NCAA Championships for his fourth straight season. Manley, the current Southeastern Conference champion in the 200 freestyle, has gained 10 All-American honors in his previous three trips. Manley was also a member of the three relay teams in 2005 that garnered All-America honors. The school?s record holder in the 200 freestyle will be competing in three singles events and will be a member of the 400 freestyle relay team.
Returning for his second NCAA Championships meet will be sophomore Kristian Outinen. Last season, Outinen earned an honorable mention All-America selection in the 200-medley relay. The Copenhagen, Denmark, native returns to compete as a member of the Cats? 200-medley relay team. Outinen will also participate in singles events such as the 200 individual medley, the 100 breaststroke and the 200 breaststroke.
Making their first appearances at the NCAA Championships this weekend will be junior Mark Doyle as well as freshmen Mickey Malul and Warren Grobbelaar.
The NCAA Championships are slated to begin at noon EST Thursday with the prelim rounds of the 200 freestyle relay, the 500 freestyle, the 200 individual medley, the 50 freestyle and the 400 medley relay events. The finals of each event start at 7 p.m. EST. Fans can check ukathletics.com for a complete recap at the conclusion of the day?s action.
