LEXINGTON, Ky.?The Bluegrass state and the University of Kentucky will welcome the elite swimmers and divers to the Lancaster Aquatic Center Feb. 2-4, and 7-10 to determine the 2007 Southeastern Conference Championship.
Eighteen teams, 109 All-Americans, 39 Academic All-Americans, 12 National Champions and 11 Olympians headline the field. The Auburn Tigers men?s and women?s teams are the reining National Champions. Auburn?s men?s team and Georgia?s Lady Bulldogs are the reining SEC Champions.
The diving session of the Championship begins on Fri., Feb. 2 and lasts three days. Last season Kentucky?s Coach Mike Lyden and Taryn Ignacio were named SEC Coach of the Year and SEC Female Diver of the year for the second consecutive season. Lyden?s women swept the platform event a season ago, and are eager to compete off of their home boards.
All general admission tickets for the three-day diving session are available. The cost for a full day (two sessions) for the event is $15. Preliminary competition on Friday and Saturday begins at 11 a.m., while the finals events begin at 6 p.m. On Sunday, preliminary rounds will kick off at 11 a.m., with the finals set to begin at 2:30.
Kentucky junior Jenny Bradford headlines the swimming class for the Wildcats. The Groveport, Ohio, native tapped in second in the 50-freestyle as a sophomore at the Championships. This season she has set two UK records, held the nation?s top time in the 50-free while placing first in three events at the Nike Cup Invitational in November.
Coach Gary Conelly is excited to host the meet and expects the Wildcats to have a strong outing, ?You?re comfortable with the water temperature, you?re comfortable with the way the wells are set up and you?ve been off these blocks quite a few times,? he said. ?It should be a very fast and exciting meet.?
Approximately less than 100 tickets are available for the four day swimming sessions. Deck and bleacher tickets will be available for each day and will cost $20 for two sessions (one day of competition). Wed., Feb 7, preliminary heats will begin at noon with finals set to begin at 6 that night. Thursday-Saturday preliminary events begin at 10 a.m., with the finals taking place at 6.
Complete coverage of the 2007 SEC Swimming and Diving Championships can be found at www.ukathletics.com.
