Oct. 11, 2012
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky swimming team held a mock meet Thursday in preparation for the 2012-13 season. The White Team came away victorious over the Blue Team with a final team score of 240-219. The Blue men defeated the White men’s team 120-114, while the Blue women overcame the White team, 120-114.
White Team ‘A’ comprised of Kate Jones (27.50), Cassie Brueckbauer (31.61), Christina Bechtel (24.67) and Mandy Myers (23.39), got the meet started with a victory in the Women’s 200-medley relay with a time of 1:47.17. The Blue Team ‘A’ men’s team consisting of Ramon Walton (23.59), George Greenhalgh (26.07), Lucas Gerotto (22.12), and Chris Lott (20.75), won their 200-medley relay with a time of 1:32.53.
Individually, Matt Roman had a successful meet for the White Team. He won the first individual event of the meet in the mixed 1000 yard freestyle finishing with a final time of 9:52.48. He also picked up a victory in the 200 yard butterfly with a time of 1:54.80. He picked up second place finishes in the 500-freestyle and the 200-IM.
Senior Travis Green also had a nice meet winning the 500-freestyle finishing in 4:46.72 and grabbing second place 1000-freestyle.
“On the men’s side, Chris Lott has really come back and is doing well,” said head coach Gary Conelly. “Matt Roman’s going to do well for us. But, like I said, we’ve got a lot of work to do. It’s going to be a tough road ahead of us.”
On the women’s side, senior captain Mandy Myers won the 50-freestyle (24.22) and the 100-freestyle (52.94). She also placed second in the 100-butterfly (57.07).Freshman Laura Dawson was impressive in her first action. She won the 100-backstroke (58.56) and took second in the 50-freestyle (25.28).
Competing with just 14 female swimmers due to several injuries on the women’s side, head coach Gary Conelly was positive about his women despite the low number of participants. One of the female swimmers expected to make a big contribution to the team this season is senior Megan Eppler. Though she didn’t compete in the mock meet, Conelly expects her to have a big season for the Wildcats.
“Megan Eppler’s swimming really great,” said Conelly. “Though she didn’t swim in this meet, she’s way ahead of everybody else. Laura Dawson’s going to help us a lot as a freshman.”
The swimming and diving teams open up their regular season at home hosting Tennessee and Indiana next Friday at 2 p.m. at the Lancaster Aquatic Center.
