Brooks Earns Back-to-Back SEC Freshman of the Week Honors
LEXINGTON, Ky. – For the second straight week, University of Kentucky swimmer Caitlin Brooks has been named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week after helping the No. 19 women’s swimming and diving team defeat Ohio and South Carolina last Friday.
In just her second collegiate outing of her career, Brooks finished in the top three in each of her four events for the first time this season, including two gold finishes. In the process, the women’s team stayed undefeated this season, boasting a 4-0 record that includes two upsets over No. 9 Indiana and No. 16 Notre Dame and once conference win over South Carolina.
The newcomer of Gainesville, Florida, is unbeaten in the 100-yard backstroke this season, recording her second gold performance in the event last Friday. Her time of 53.28 dropped nearly a full second off her season-opener time of 54.20, recorded on Oct. 9. The 53.28 timestamp is the fifth-fastest time in the nation thus far this season, and she is the only underclassman among that top five.
Once again, Brooks helped the 200-yard medley relay team to victory last Friday. She swam the fastest lead leg in the field in 24.29 for a group time of 1:41.22, shedding more than a full second off her lead-leg time in the season opener (25.20). She led the 200-yard medley relay team to victory then, too.
Brooks logged a second-place finish in the 200-yard backstroke in the Friday tri-meet for the second straight time this season. She logged a 1:58.79, finishing just one place behind senior Ali Galyer, a three-time First Team All-American in the event.
Rounding out her impressive accomplishments last Friday, Brooks tabbed a third-place finish in an uncommon event for the versatile swimmer, touching the wall at 56.11 in the 100-yard butterfly.
The RV men’s and No. 19 women’s swimming and diving teams have a large task ahead of them, as they travel to Austin, Texas, to compete against No. 2/5 Texas in a dual meet on Friday, Oct. 25. The meet will open Texas’ season.
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.
