Three Wildcats Head to Men’s NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships
INDIANAPOLIS, IN. – Kentucky men’s swimming & diving will travel to Indianapolis for the 2024 NCAA Men’s Swimming & Diving Championships, March 27-30 at the IU Natatorium, hosted by Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the Indiana Sports Corporation.
Sophomores Ryan Merani and Levi Sandidge, along with freshman Carson Hick have each qualified for the meet, combining for eight total entries. Hick will make his NCAA debut at this year’s championship, while Merani and Sandidge, a former First-Team All-American in the 1650 freestyle, return to the national competition for the second year.
Sandidge and Hick will both compete in the 1650 and 500 freestyle. Merani and Sandidge both earned bids in the 400 IM, with Merani also qualifying in the 200 butterfly and 200 IM. Sandidge and Hick enter the Championship with the 11th and 19th best times in the nation in the 1650 freestyle. Sandidge earned a bronze medal in the event at the 2024 SEC Championship and placed sixth overall at last year’s national competition. Merani holds the 30th spot nationally in the 200 fly, where he placed 38th in the 2023 Championship.
Competition for the Wildcats begins Thursday morning with the 500-yard freestyle and 200 individual medley. Kentucky will compete in only the 400-yard IM on Friday, and end the meet on Saturday with the 1650 freestyle and 200 yard butterfly. Competition each day will begin with the preliminary rounds at 10 a.m. (EST), with finals set to commence at 6 p.m. All action can be seen live on ESPN+, and live results will be available via the Meet Mobile app.
Last season, the Wildcats placed 28th with 13 points, the most since the 2019 event. Kentucky is coming off a 10th place finish at the SEC championship, led by Merani’s 47-point contribution. For the latest on UK Swim & Dive, follow the Wildcats on Twitter and Instagram at @UKSwimDive, and on Facebook at Kentucky Swimming and Diving.
