Kentucky Swimming & Diving Hosts Second Straight Tri-Meet
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Nine days after upsetting three teams in its season opener, the RV/No. 19 University of Kentucky men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams play host to Ohio and South Carolina for a Breast Cancer Awareness tri-meet at Lancaster Aquatic Center at 11 a.m. on Friday.
The No. 19 Kentucky women’s team began the season 2-0, after upsetting No. 9 Indiana (161-139) and No. 16 Notre Dame (184.5-115.5) last Wednesday. It marked the first time the team has defeated Indiana since 2007, and just the second time in more than 20 years.
In the process, freshman Caitlin Brooks earned the Southeastern Conference Female Freshman of the Week honor after collecting two first-place finishes, one second-place finish and a fifth-place finish in her collegiate debut.
Brooks adds important depth to Kentucky’s backstroke group and medley-relay team, proving her importance in the season opener. The Florida native took gold in the 100-yard backstroke on a season-best 54.20, the 14th fastest time in the nation.
She also helped the 200-yard medley relay team earn gold, the first event of the meet, swimming the fastest lead leg in the field in 25.20, allowing the foursome to touch the wall in 1:40.67 and generate a quick lead.
The tri-meet Friday will feature a familiar format, including 32 events in the same order as the Blue-White meet and the season opener. The event order can be found here.
The UK men’s team, which is receiving votes in the national listings, began the season 1-1, upsetting No. 12 Notre Dame (176-124) for the second straight season last week and losing to No. 6 Indiana (204-96). Familiar names proved resilient in the home opener, including senior Peter Wetzlar of Zimbabwe for topping the 50-yard freestyle field in 20.11.
The divers have made a considerable impact on the success of both teams thus far, claiming first place in each of the four diving events in the season opener.
Sophomore and reigning SEC Female Freshman Diver of the Year Kyndal Knight swept both springboard events last week, adding crucial points to the women’s score. Junior Chase Lane won the men’s 1-meter board, while sophomore Danny Zhang won the men’s 3-meter board.
The tri-meet will serve as Ohio’s season opener, while South Carolina lost to Tennessee in its season opener last Friday. Just the UK women will compete against Ohio, as the Bobcats don’t have a male swimming and diving team.
Ohio head coach Mason Norman is a former associate head coach and assistant coach at Kentucky, serving the program from 2013-18.
Live results can be found here, or on the Meet Mobile app.
Tickets, Promotions and Parking
There is no admission cost, and fans are encouraged to attend and wear pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 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 compete against No. 2/5 Texas on Friday, Oct. 25 in Austin, Texas.
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.
