Kentucky Logs Fastest Time in the Nation, Wins Gold in 800 Freestyle Relay

ATHENS, Ga. and COLUMBIA, Mo. – The No. 3 University of Kentucky women’s swimming and diving team had a dominating opening night of the 2021 Southeastern Conference Championships, collecting a gold medal and a bronze medal through the first three events of the meet.
 
Kentucky won its first-ever title in a relay event, earning a gold medal in the 800 freestyle relay in 6:58.58. It is the fastest time in the nation, while it also meets the 2021 NCAA Championships automatic qualification time standad. Izzy Gati led the foursome in 1:45.22, followed by Riley Gaines in 1:42.44, then Kaitlynn Wheeler in 1:45.15 and anchored by Sophie Sorenson in 1:45.78.
 
Before that, the Wildcats earned a bronze medal in the 200 medley relay in 1:35.87. It broke a school record, and it is a 2021 NCAA Championships automatic qualification time, too. Caitlin Brooks took the lead in the backstroke leg in 23.92, followed by Bailey Bonnett in the breaststroke leg in 27.26, then Gati in butterfly in 23.11 and anchored by Gaines swimming the freestyle leg in 21.58.
 
Three women’s divers competed in the 1-meter springboard preliminaries event. Kyndal Knight, who held a lead in the event after the third round, finished in 12th place with a score of 268.20. Van McKinley is competing in her first conference championships, earning 15th place with a score of 242.10. Morgan Southall, who is coming off a season-long injury, finished in 29th place with a score of 216.75.
 
The second day of the 2021 SEC Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships and the men’s diving competition will resume on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. ET. A full schedule and links to stream the meet can be found here.

Quoteables: 
Riley Gaines on the 200 medley relay…
“I think this record was really great for our team because it consisted of the same four people we had last year when we got 11th place. This year, we got third, beating so many other highly ranked teams in the NCAA, so it just shows how we have developed as a team and developed on the weaknesses from last year. So, I think that gives us a ton of momentum for the rest of the meet, especially the rest of the relays. I think it gave us a good start and good energy before the 800 freestyle relay. Caitlin (Brooks) threw down an amazing 50 backstroke split. I think all four of our relay splits were the fastest we’ve ever done. So, I think overall, it combined for a really great relay.”

Sophie Sorenson on the 800 freestyle relay…
“Kicking off with the 200 medley relay got us really excited and showed us what we could do. I think ending the note on a gold medal was super exciting. I don’t know what we really expected out of it, but when Riley (Gaines) finished her length and we were so far ahead, I knew we could do it, and getting my hand on the wall and seeing everyone celebrating was probably one of the most memorable moments I’ll have here.”
 
Medal Count: 2
Gold: 1
800 freestyle relay, 6:58.58
 
Silver: 0
 
Bronze: 1
200 medley relay, 1:35.87
 
School Record Count: 1
200 med-r, 1:35.87
 
2021 NCAA Championships Automatic Qualifications Count: 2
200 med-r, 1:35.87
800 freestyle relay, 6:58.58

 
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.