Nov. 7, 2008
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky’s sprint freestylers and divers shined Friday in a loss to Atlantic Coast powerhouse Virginia at the Lancaster Aquatic Center. UK’s divers claimed both boards on both the men’s and women’s side, while the Blue and White also swept the 50-freestyle race.
Sophomore diver Jessie Snowden took top honors on both the one- and three-meter boards today. She earned a score of 276.67 in winning the one-meter to begin the meet. On the three meter the SEC Freshman Diver of the Year last season notched a career-best score of 328.58 in her win.
Junior Megan Pulskamp earned first place in the 50-freestyle for the first time this season. Pulskamp touched the wall in a time of 23.70 for the win. Kentucky also got wins from senior Haleigh Kerns and sophomore Lindsey Graessle. Kerns took first in the 500-free with a time of 5:00.26, while Graessle was the first to clock in the 200-breaststroke with a clip of 2:21.90.
Freshman Claire Archibald was second in the 200-backstroke with a time of 2:00.79. Senior Leah Harms helped UK finish 1-2 in the 500-free when she tapped behind her classmate with a time of 5:07.09. Freshman Jenna Willis placed second in the 200-breast for another Kentucky 1-2 finish. Willis earned a 2:25.65 time.
In the relays, UK ended the meet with a win in the 200-free. Sophomore Jenna Newsome, freshman Chelsea Peterson, sophomore Kayla Sergesketter and freshman Kelsi Hall clocked in with a time of 1:35.05. To open the meet, UK took second in the 200-medley with Archibald, Graessle, Pulskamp and Hall comprising the team. They tapped in a time of 1:45.15.
On the men’s side, senior Justin Smith claimed his first two victories of the season with wins on both boards. Smith scored a 302.02 on the one-meter, and a 310.43 on the three-meter. He was the lone Wildcat on the men’s side to win two individual events.
Junior Eric McGinnis helped UK sweep the 50-free when he took the men’s title. McGinnis touched in with a 20.76 clip.
Freshman Grant Cooksey scored a first place finish for the first time in his young career. Cooksey used a time of 2:06.89 in the 200-breast for the win.
Sophomore Tyler Reed had an outstanding race in the 200-free and just tapped behind the Virginia swimmer. Reed clocked in with a time of 1:38.44, and the first place finisher had a 1:38.21 time. Senior Shane Eliason also scored a second place finish for the Blue and White. Eliason was second in the 200-individual medley with a time of 1:52.63.
UK’s 200-free relay team ended the meet with a highlight reel race. The squad comprised of junior Elvis Burrows, Reed, junior Chris Richard and McGinnis touched in a time of 1:22.36 to edge the Cavaliers by a second.
Kentucky’s 200-medley relay of Eliason, Cooksey, Burrows and McGinnis placed second in the event with a time of 1:31.49.
The Wildcats have a short turnaround before they hit the water again. UK welcomes IUPUI for the second of two dual meets this weekend at the Lancaster Aquatic Center at 9 a.m. Saturday morning. A complete recap following the meet can be found at UKathletics.com.
