Oct. 18, 2012
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky swimming and diving teams open up the 2012-13 season hosting the University of Tennessee and Indiana University in a tri-meet Friday afternoon at the Lancaster Aquatic Center in Lexington, Ky., with the meet scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. ET.
“We are looking forward to our first competition. It is going to be a real challenge going up against UT and IU at the same time,” said Kentucky swimming head coach Gary Conelly. “I think it will be a very fast and very competitive meet.”
The men will have their hands full with two very talented teams coming to Lexington as Indiana and Tennessee men’s teams placed 10th and 22nd respectively in last season’s 2012 NCAA swimming championships. The task will be even tougher for the women who are swimming shorthanded due to injuries. Tennessee returns a women’s squad that placed seventh nationally, while the IU women came in at No. 13 in the NCAA championships.
Kentucky will be led by seniors Megan Eppler and Mandy Myers along with sophomore Julia Gerotto on the women’s side. The men have a strong core of returners in seniors Travis Green, Calder Staben and Ramon Walton. Sophomore Lucas Gerotto also figures to be an impact swimmer again for the Wildcats this season after a strong freshman campaign last season. Freshman Matt Roman performed well in the mock meet last week and could be a nice addition to the men’s team this year.
“Due to injuries on the women’s side we will be a little short handed but I’m very excited to see our ladies races, especially Megan Eppler, Mandy Myers and Laura Dawson,” said Conelly. “While in the boards, I’m excited to see Rebecca Hamperian compete. For the men Lucas Gerotto, Tripp Crosthwaite, Will Heidler, Chris Lott, and Matt Roman are among some of the guys who should shine with some outstanding diving from Greg Ferrucci and John Fox.”
The divers return a solid class in 2012-13 including junior diver Ferrucci. The North Carolina native already has taken claim of the school record in the 1m and 3m diving, and will look to complete the sweep this season and take down the platform mark.
Conelly will have an experienced bunch this season as 25 men and 18 women return from last year’s team including 12 total seniors. Kentucky also adds 14 new faces to the team including nine freshman men.
Parking for the swim meet will be available in Parking Structure #7, which is located on the corner of Complex and Sports Center Dr. The cost of parking is two-dollars per hour (for the first two hours) and then one-dollar per hour (every hour after the first two).
