A Closer Look: Kentucky Men’s Swimming & Diving Class of 2018
LEXINGTON, Ky. – After announcing the initial 2018 Kentucky swimming and diving signing class following the early signing period in November, the Wildcats have completed their men’s roster for next season with the addition of Louis Barker, Daniel Blake and Trent Lakes.
The three join top-100 recruits Mason Wilby and Kyle Barker, along with diver Danny Zhang in the class.
“I’m really pleased with this men’s class,” said Kentucky head coach Lars Jorgensen. “They have great potential to develop into important SEC and NCAA scorers for us and they’re continuing to improve. I think it’s a sneaky good class.”
Over the past year, the incoming freshman have made impressive leaps through their senior seasons. Notably, Wilby won the Commonwealth Youth Games gold medal in the 200-meter butterfly for England and Kyle Barker multi-event finalist at the 2018 NCSA Juniors and on the NCSA team that traveled to Ireland.
Mason Wilby (No. 26 recruit by CollegeSwimming.com)
Gator Swim Club/Buchholz High School – Gainesville, Fla.
Fly/Back/Free
The No. 26 recruit in the class of 2018 and No. 2 recruit from Florida, Wilby brings a wealth of international experience to Lexington. His senior season, Wilby won the Florida 4A state title in the 100 fly (48.12), as well as taking runner-up in the 100 back (49.50). In addition to earning the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games gold medal in the 200 fly.
Mason’s Top Times:
50 Free: 20.71
200 Free: 1:36.95
100 Fly: 47.33
200 Fly: 1:44.48
100 Back: 49.50
200 Back: 1:48.73
200 IM: 1:47.04
Kyle Barker (No. 97 recruit by CollegeSwimming.com)
Nation’s Capital Swim Club/John Champe High School – Aldie, Va.
IM/Breast/Back
The No. 97 prospect according to CollegeSwimming.com, Barker recorded lifetime bests in nearly every specialty stroke event at the NCSA Spring Junior National Championships this past March. Barker has been a multi-event Junior National finalist in both 2017 and 2018, as well as earning a pair of podium finishes in the 200 IM and 100 breast at the 2018 VHSL Class 5 State Championship.
Kyle’s Top Times:
200 Back: 1:46.31
100 Breast: 55.43
200 Breast: 1:58.40
200 IM: 1:48.26
400 IM: 3:51.01
Daniel Blake
Santa Clara Swim Club/Westmont High School – Campbell, Calif.
Distance Free
The 2018 CIF Central Coast Sectional champion in the 500 free, Blake will help add depth to Kentucky’s distance group. The No. 30 recruit out of California, Blake was also a CIF state finalist in the 500 free.
Daniel’s Top Times:
200 Free: 1:39.52
500 Free: 4:25.82
1000 Free: 9:25.28
1650 Free: 15:31.45
Louis Barker
Millfield School – Street, Somerset, England
Sprint Free
A native of Somerset, England, Barker comes to Lexington as a sprint freestyle specialist having qualified for the 2016 British Olympic Trials and the 2018 Commonwealth Games Trials.
Louis’ Top Times:
50 Free: 23.58 (LCM)
100 Free: 51.45 (LCM)
Trent Lakes
Swimchester Sailfish/Madison Central High School – Richmond, Ky.
Back/Mid-Distance Free
The No. 4 recruit from the bluegrass in 2018, Lakes has been a multi-event finalist at the Kentucky State Championships throughout his high school career.
Trent’s Top Times:
100 Back: 50.31
200 Back: 1:49.15
100 Free: 46.15
200 Free: 1:40.16
Mingli ‘Danny’ Zhang
Pacific DGA/Cypress High School – Cypress, Calif.
Diving
Having trained in China for much of his young life, Zhang moved to the United States to pursue diving and an education. An impressive young talent, Zhang swept the springboard events at 2017 AAU Nationals.
