UK Swimming & Diving Hosts Indiana, Notre Dame in Season Opener
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The road to March begins for the University of Kentucky swimming and diving program on Wednesday at 10 a.m., as the men’s and women’s teams host powerhouse programs Indiana and Notre Dame in a tri-meet at the Lancaster Aquatic Center.
The season opener is the first of seven short-course meets this season, a competitive schedule featuring six men’s opponents who finished in the top 15, and eight women’s opponents who finished in the top 25, at the 2019 NCAA Championships.
Preceding a strong long-course season last summer that included three new school records (two reset by incoming freshmen), a national gold medal, a national silver medal, a world silver medal and 38 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trial cut times, Kentucky accomplished one of the program’s best short-course seasons in 2018-19.
For the first time since 2008, both the men’s and women’s teams finished inside the top 25 at the 2019 NCAA Championships. In the process, Kentucky collected 26 All-American honors on the backs of 13 swimmers and divers. Ten of the 13 athletes are returning letterwinners for the 2019-20 season.
One of those returners is Louisville, Kentucky, native Asia Siedt, entering her final collegiate season. The senior is responsible for six of the 26 All-America honors earned by Kentucky last season, the max number rewarded to an individual at the national meet. Even more impressive, Seidt leads the program in First Team All-America honors (eight) and ties the program in All-America honors (16).
In addition to her national prominence, Seidt became the three-time defending champion in the 200-yard backstroke at the 2019 Southeastern Conference Championships, to become a four-time SEC Champion.
Seidt was named a team captain of the women’s team this season, alongside senior Ali Galyer and junior Bailey Bonnett. On the men’s side, senior Wyatt Amdor and junior Chase Lane were named team captains.
The Wildcats opened last season with national powerhouse Indiana and Notre Dame in Bloomington, Indiana. The Kentucky men edged Notre Dame (154.50-143.50), but dropped to Indiana (219-79). Meanwhile, the Kentucky women lost to both Indiana (183-117) and Notre Dame (172.50-127.50).
Like Kentucky, the tri-meet will also mark the start of the season for Indiana. Notre Dame began its season last Friday, recording a pair of wins over Florida State at home.
Tickets, Promotions and Parking
There is no admission cost, and fans are encouraged to attend. Students who check into the BBN Rewards app will be entered for a chance to win two Big Blue Madness tickets, hosted on Friday, Oct. 11. Parking will be available for $2 an hour at parking structure No. 7, located on Sports Center Drive across from the E.J. Nutter Training Facility.
Next on the Schedule
The Kentucky swimming and diving program will be back in the pool next week, hosting South Carolina and Ohio University for a Breast Cancer Awareness meet on Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. at the Lancaster Aquatic Center.
For the latest on the Kentucky swimming and diving program, follow @UKSwimDive on Twitter and on Instagram, on Facebook and on the web at UKathletics.com.
