Dec. 5, 2009
LEXINGTON, Ky. – In the final competition of the fall season the Kentucky swimming and diving teams concluded the year in stylish fashion. The UK men defeated border state rival Indiana by a 175.5-123.5 margin, while the women’s squads ended in a 149-149 tie score.
Resembling much of the season the Kentucky relays helped the Wildcats jump out to an early lead as both the men’s and women’s 200-medley relays captured opening victories.
On the women’s side the ladies tapped in a time of 1:43.88 for first place. Chatham Penrod (26.57), Lindsey Graessle (29.53), Megan Pulskamp (24.79) and Jenna Newsome (22.99) combined for the win.
For the men UK had Zach McGinnis (24.02), Julio Vallette (25.65), Elvis Burrows (21.63) and Eric McGinnis (19.84) form the winning quartet. The men clocked in a time of 1:31.14 for the win.
Freshman Trina Winsor was the first individual winner of the day for the Blue and White as she captured first in the 1,000 freestyle with a time of 10:07.74.
Kyle Greene and Forbes formed a one-two punch in the 200-free for the opening individual wins on the men’s side. Greene earned a 1:40.87 time and Forbes needed just 1:41.93 for second place.
Graessle and Jenna Willis were the top two finishers in the 100-breaststroke. Graessle used 1:05.02 in her win and Willis placed second with a time of 1:06.57.
Pulskamp led a sweep in the 200-butterfly for the Wildcats. Pulskamp won the event in a time of 2:04.49, followed by Casey Miller (2:05.50) and Anna Sirmon (2:07.43).
Freshman Maclin Simpson captured his first collegiate victory with a first place finish in the 200-fly. Simpson touched the wall in a time of 1:52.85.
Eric McGinnis helped the UK men to a 1-2-3 finish in the 50-free as the Wildcats continued their domination over their opponents in the sprint events. McGinnis touché din a time of 20.29 with Warren Grobbelaar tapping in 20.60 and Burrows touching in a time of 20.67.
Diver John Fox also got in on the action with a victory on the three-meter board. Fox scored 318.16 in the event to better the field by 10 points.
Out of the break Forbes led a pack of UK swimmers in sweeping the 100-free. Forbes won the event with a 45.64 time. Greene took second with a time of 45.71 and Eric McGinnis was third in a time of 45.85.
Tyler Reed and Morne’ Boshoff were the top two finishers in the 500-free. Reed scored the win with a 4:34.79 time and Boshoff was second with a clip of 4:38.33.
Pulskamp won her second event of the day when she led all finishers in the 100-fly. Pulskamp touched the wall in a time of 55.88. Sirmon placed second with a time of 56.98.
Burrows led the final 1-2-3 finish of the day for the Blue and White with his win in the 100-fly. Burrows clocked in a time of 48.93. Forbes was second with a clip of 50.49 and Travis Muzzillo was third in a time of 50.76.
To finish out the scoring the Wildcats once again used the final relays to their advantage as both the men and women concluded the meet with wins.
On the women’s side the ladies clocked in a time of 1:33.39. Pulskamp (23.67), Newsome (23.12), Kayla Sergesketter (23.04) and Kelsi Hall (23.56) combined for the win.
For the men the Wildcats tapped in a final time of 1:21.24. Chip Aplin (20.99), Eric McGinnis (19.74), Colin Faris (20.44) and Forbes (20.07) formed the quartet to capture the final victory and secure the meet win.
Kentucky will return to action on Jan. 16, 2010 at Alabama for the start of the second half of the season. For the most up-to-date information regarding the Kentucky swimming and diving squads please visit UKathletics.com.
