LEXINGTON, Ky.?The University of Kentucky men?s and women?s swimming and diving teams will conclude regular season dual meet action with a final showdown in Cincinnati with the Bearcats at 5 p.m. on Fri., Jan. 26.
The men and women are both riding three-meet wins streaks. The men have knocked off ranked opponents Texas A&M and Alabama and earned a senior-day win against in-state rival Louisville this past weekend. The women have rattled off wins against SEC-foes Vanderbilt and Alabama and also toppled the Cardinals on senior day.
Junior Jenny Bradford earned a NCAA ?B? cut in the 200-freestyle event in her win against Louisville. The standard is the fourth event this season she has at least earned a ?B? cut. The Groveport, Ohio, native has earned ?A? cuts in the 50-free, 100-free and 100-butterfly. Bradford won three events in the Wildcats? win over Louisville, she placed first in the 100-free, 100-fly and 200-free to lead Kentucky.
Classmate Kari Retrum used a career-day against Louisville to put her stamp higher in the UK record books. The junior scored a 319. 50 in her first place finish on the one-meter and a 343.28 clip on the three-meter. Retrum?s score on the one-meter edged teammate Joey Brown?s mark of 312.76, she set just a week earlier, for the No. 1 spot in the UK record books and a new Lancaster Aquatic Center record.
Senior Taryn Ignacio, one of the most decorated divers for Coach Mike Lyden, made the most of senior day by setting new career-highs in dual meet competition on both boards while placing second on both as well.
On the men?s side the team has been paced recently by the sophomore class. Shane Eliason captured both backstroke events for his third consecutive meet, while also posting a career-high time in the 100-back. Warren Grobbelaar has placed first in the 50-free in two of the last three meets. Mickey Malul tapped in first in the 100-breaststroke for the fifth time this season. On the boards, Justin Smith took first on the one-meter board against Louisville setting a new-career high mark.
Complete results of Friday?s 5 p.m. meet with Cincinnati can be found at www.ukathletics.com. The diving portion of the SEC Championships begins Friday, Feb. 2.
