Jan. 15, 2012
ATLANTA, Ga. – Behind multiple wins, 1-2 finishes, and top five’s, the University of Kentucky swimming and diving teams defeated Emory University on Sunday.
Kentucky defeated Emory 181-119 on the men’s side, while recording a 168-132 win on the women’s side.
“I thought our intensity was much better today,” UK head coach Gary Conelly said. “There were some very good swims from Megan Eppler, Kristen Wilson, Jenna Willis, Tyler Reed, and both (Julia and Lucas) Gerotto. On the boards, Lindsay Keahey had a great day. We still look a little tired, so I think we have some good swims in the future.”
UK swept both of the early relays, taking the women’s 200-medley with a time of 1:47.33. The team of Lindsay Lash, Sam Shaheen, Julia Gerotto and Megan Eppler combined to take first in the relay. Kelcy Perry, Jenna Willis, Anna Mattox and Kristen Wilson combined for a 1:48.58 in the relay, taking second place. On the men’s side, Ramon Walton led UK to a win, pacing the field with a time of 1:30.75 in the 200-medley. Joining Walton was Matt Russell, Lucas Gerotto and Tyler Reed.
Lucas Gerotto continued his successful day, pacing the field in the 200-freestyle with a time of 1:42.34. Travis Green and Jake Thomas both finished in the top five.
Ramon Walton, Maclin Simpson, and Jon Keltner led the way in the 100-backstroke for UK, finishing 1-2-3. Simpson led the field with a time of 51.65. Simpson and Keltner followed with times of 52.12 and 53.19.
Julia Gerotto, Abby Meyers, and Diana Norkus led the Wildcats to a 1-2-3 finish in the 200-butterfly with Gerotto taking home the title. The freshman from Sao Paulo, Brazil recorded a time of 2:04.97, with Abby Myers recording a 2:06.15 and Norkus claiming a 2:07.69.
In the women’s 100-butterfly, UK had a dominating performance taking first through fifth. Julia Gerotto led the way, recording a time of 57.49, while Anna Mattox followed up with a 58.47 for second place. Lindsay Lash, Abby Myers, and Diana Norkus rounded out the top-5 for Kentucky.
Both 50-freestyle events were won by Kentucky, as the Wildcats’ Tyler Reed recorded a 20.82 and Kristen Wilson recording a 24.04 to win the event. Matt Russell took second for UK in the 50-freestyle, claiming a 21.44.
On the diving boards, UK had one of their best meets of the year, winning all four of the events, led by Sarah Chewning, Lindsay Keahey and Greg Ferrucci, who each recorded a win.
“Our divers were very good overall today,” UK diving head coach Ted Hautau said. “I was impressed they came out with that much energy on tired legs. Lindsay Keahey was sensational on the three meter. She was more confident than ever. Sarah Chewning was awesome again on the one meter, and had her best meet of the year. Greg Ferrucci was much better, and Corey Cowger had one of his best performances of the year.”
Sarah Chewning won the one-meter competition, recording a 320.70, with Christa Cabot coming in second place with a score of 308.70.
In the men’s three-meter, Greg Ferrucci recorded a 429.90, which was good enough to take home first place. Ferrucci also took home first place in the one-meter competition, recording a 405.30. John Fox finished second.
In the women’s three-meter, Kentucky swept the podium, with Lindsay Keahey finishing first, claiming a score of 310.28. Christa Cabot continued her stellar season, taking second with a 305.18 while Sarah Chewning finished third with a 278.70.
Kentucky will next take to the waters at home for the final time of the 2011-12 season at the Lancaster Aquatic Center in Lexington, Ky., against the University of Cincinnati Bearcats. The first race in the dual meet will begin at 10:00 a.m. ET.
For continuing coverage of the 2011-12 swimming and diving team and the latest-breaking news, log on to UKAthletics.com.
