Seven Wildcats Earn SEC Honors for 2016-17

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Following Kentucky swimming and diving’s successful postseason run, seven Wildcats earned Southeastern Conference honors for the 2016-17 season, it was announced Thursday by the league office.

Freshman Asia Seidt highlighted the list for Kentucky, as she was named SEC Freshman Swimmer of the Year. The freshman was also selected to the All-SEC First Team and All-Freshman Team. Seidt is the first UK swimmer to earn the SEC Freshman of the Year accolade. 

“Asia had an outstanding year,” head coach Lars Jorgensen said. “She came in as an accomplished recruit, but she’s really taken it to another level throughout her freshman year.” 

Geena Freriks was also an All-SEC First Team selection, while Kendal Casey, Ali Galyer, Danielle Galyer, Rebecca Hamperian and Madison Winstead were named All-SEC Second Team selections. Ali Galyer and Winstead joined Seidt on the All-Freshman Team.

“Earning league honors like this is a testament the hard work all of our athletes have put in all season long,” said Jorgensen. “Especially in the SEC, one of the toughest conferences in the country, it’s tough to accomplish what our athletes have. We’re really proud of this group and the awards are well deserved.”

Seidt enjoyed one of the greatest rookie campaigns in program history, as she became the first UK freshman to win an SEC gold medal when she finished first in the 200-yard backstroke at the SEC Championships in February. Seidt also brought home bronze in the 100-yard backstroke, silver in the 800 freestyle relay and finished fourth in the 200 individual medley at the conference meet. At the NCAA Championships last month, Seidt was Kentucky’s highest individual finisher in any event, placing third in the 200 back with a school-record 1:49.63. Seidt scored in all three of her individual events at NCAAs, and was a member of both relay teams that scored at the meet to earn All-America honors in five separate events as a freshman 

Freriks also made Kentucky history at this season’s SEC Championships when she became the first Wildcat woman to win the 200-yard freestyle at the meet since 1995. To win the race, Freriks lowered her own school record to 1:44.26. At NCAAs, Freriks picked up All-America honors in the 200 free, 500 free, 400 medley relay and 800 free relay.

Senior Danielle Galyer wrapped up her illustrious Kentucky career at last month’s NCAA Championships, where she finished fifth in the 200 back and earned All-America distinction in in four separate events. Galyer also earned the Elite 90 award at NCAAs for the second season in a row, the award given to the student-athlete competing at the national meet with the highest cumulative GPA. At the SEC Championships, Galyer won the silver medal in the 200 back, finished sixth in the 100 back and took home the silver medal as part of Kentucky’s school-record breaking 800 freestyle relay group. 

Hamperian had a remarkable showing at her final SEC Championships, as she advanced to the finals in all three dives and brought home silver on the 1-meter springboard with a school-record score of 354.90. At NCAAs, Hamperian picked up honorable mention All-America honors on the 3-meter with her 13th-place showing.

The league distinction is a first for Casey, who brought home bronze in the 500 free and finished fourth in the 1,650 free at the SEC Championships. The senior qualified for the NCAA Championships in both events, where she finished in the top 50 in both along with the 200 free.

Both Ali Galyer and Winstead were All-SEC Second Team and All-Freshman team selections after their impressive freshman campaigns. Galyer turned in four top-eight finishes at the conference meet, including a silver medal in the 800 freestyle relay group and placed eighth in the 200 back at the national meet. Winstead picked up a silver medal in the 100 breaststroke at the SEC Championships with a school-record time of 59.86 while also helping the Wildcats to two top-five finishes in the 400 and 200 medley relays. 

SEC Female Freshman Swimmer of the Year: Asia Seidt

Geena Freriks 

Asia Seidt

Kendal Casey 

Ali Galyer 

Danielle Galyer 

Rebecca Hamperian 

Madison Winstead

Ali Galyer 

Asia Seidt 

Madison Winstead

For a full list of 2016-17 SEC award winners, click here.

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