LEXINGTON, Ky.?Four members of the University of Kentucky women?s swimming team were named first team All Southeastern Conference announced by the league offices Thursday morning.
Juniors Heather and Jenny Bradford, senior Nikia Deveaux and junior Lauren Willis were tabbed as four of the best swimmers in the conference after winning the 200-freestyle relay at this year?s Championships. This is the first time in each of the women?s careers they have been named first team All-SEC.
The 200-free relay squad became the first Kentucky relay team in school history to win a SEC title. The quartet also set a new Lancaster Aquatic Center record and UK varsity record, while automatically qualifying for the NCAA Championships in their sprint.
In addition to the women, junior Will Vietti was named second team All-SEC after taking second in the 100-breaststroke event. Vietti set a new Kentucky varsity record and personal best time in the preliminary round of the event. This was also the first time Vietti was honored by the SEC.
Adding to the medal count for the blue and white was Heather Bradford who placed second in the 100-butterfly, and Jenny Bradford took silver in the 50-free. On the first night of competition the 200-medley relay team earned bronze. The quartet was comprised of freshman Chatham Penrod, junior Lyndsey Myhre and both Bradfords.
Last week, Kentucky diver Taryn Ignacio was tabbed SEC Female Diver of the Year for the third consecutive season. She was also named to the first team All-SEC. Coach Mike Lyden received his third consecutive SEC Coach of the Year, and ninth of his career.
The Lady Wildcats placed fourth overall at this year?s Championships, behind Auburn, Georgia and Florida. This marks the third consecutive season the women have finished fourth in the conference meet. The men concluded the meet with an eighth place finish.
This week many Kentucky swimmers will attempt to qualify for the NCAA Championships at the Last Chance Meet in Athens, Ga. The divers will compete in Zone Diving, their qualifying meet, beginning on March 2.
The women?s NCAA Championships is slated for March 8-10, while the men?s is March 14-17. Ignacio, the nation?s reining national champion in the platform event and the women?s 200-free relay squad, which holds the nation?s second fastest time, will be among the field of NCAA hopefuls in Minneapolis, Minn.
