Men’s Swimming & Diving Beats Purdue, Women Split Tri-Meet

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Kentucky men’s swimming & diving team prevailed over Purdue, while the UK women split decisions in their tri-meet Friday at the Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center on the campus of Purdue University.

The Wildcat men won 12 of 16 total events on the day to defeat the home Boilermakers by a tally of 178-122. The women, meanwhile, triumphed over Notre Dame, 186.5-113.5, while falling short against Purdue, 158-142.

Kentucky’s men began the day with a win in the 400-medley relay on the backs of Devin Naoroz, Adomas Gatulis, Ryan Merani and Justin Peresse. The team did not let up for the remainder of the meet as Merani (200 fly, 200 IM) led a contingent of 10 individual event winners for the UK men, who have now won their last two dual meets to improve to 3-3 on the season.

The men’s side did significant damage with podium sweeps in both the 200 butterfly and the 500 freestyle. In the 200 fly, Merani touched first and was followed by teammates Aaron Gasiewicz and Jackson Mussler, while the 500 free saw Carson Hick, Levi Sandidge and Caue Gluck take the top three spots.

Three different UK women combined for four event victories in the tri-meet format, led by two wins from fifth-year Bridget Engel (100 breast, 200 breast). Juniors Grace Frericks (200 back) and Lydia Hanlon (100 Fly) also earned first-place results. Paige Taber, a fellow junior, collected the lone new NCAA “B” cut of the day for Kentucky with her swim of 1:56.31 in the 200 back. Kentucky’s women now own a dual meet record of 4-4 on the season.

The women’s team put two on the podium in four events, including the meet-opening 400 medley relay where the Cats took both second and third. Frericks and Taber went one-two in the 200 backstroke, while Engel and Olivia Mendenhall finished as the top two times in the 200 breast. Hanlon (first) and Billie Sherratt (third) were both medalists in the 100 fly, gathering crucial points for the Wildcats.

On the boards it was a strong day for UK fifth-year Sam Duncan who earned a victory in the 1-meter competition with a score of 357.45 and placed second in 3-meter with a tally of 385.28. For the women, Abby Devereaux was UK’s top-finisher in the 3-meter, taking fourth with a total of 307.20, while Avery Giese was fifth in the 1-meter springboard at 271.43.

Kentucky will continue its January dual slate back inside the Lancaster Aquatic Center next Friday against SEC foe, Auburn. The meet is scheduled to begin at noon with free admission available to the public.

Kentucky Event Winners –

• Naoroz, Gatulis, Merani, Peresse: 400 MR (3:10.64)
• Levi Sandidge: 1000 Free (8:53.49)
• Devin Naoroz: 100 Back (47.86)
• Bridget Engel: 100 Breast (1:00.89), 200 Breast (2:13.71)
• Adomas Gatulis: 100 Breast (54.49)
• Ryan Merani: 200 Fly (1:45.28), 200 IM (1:47.09)
• Max Berg: 50 Free (19.90)
• Sam Duncan: 1-Meter Diving (357.45)
• Justin Peresse: 100 Free (44.13)
• Grace Frericks: 200 Back (1:55.43)
• Szymon Mieczkowski: 200 Back (1:46.22)
• Jonathan Rom: 200 Breast (1:58.72)
• Carson Hick: 500 Free (4:19.60)
• Lydia Hanlon: 100 Fly (53.75)

New NCAA “B” Cuts

• Paige Taber: 200 Back (1:56.31)

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