BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southeastern Conference Swimming & Diving Community Service Teams for 2024-25 included two Kentucky swimming student-athletes, Torie Buerger and Drew Johnson, as announced on Tuesday.
The SEC sponsors Community Service teams for all 22 league sports, in which it looks to highlight an athlete from each school who gives back to their community in superior service efforts.
A fifth-year from Wexford, Pa., Torie Buerger has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to community service, dedicating over 235 hours to a diverse range of causes. With Amachi, she formed a meaningful mentorship with a young mentee, engaging in activities such as arts and crafts, homework help, park outings, and skill-building exercises to foster personal growth and development. At God’s Pantry, Buerger helped pack and deliver food to those in need. She also collected and donated supplies for local schools through the School Supply Drive and volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House. Buerger assisted the Christmas Miracle project, where she wrapped and delivered presents to families in need and helped organize holiday festivities. She crafted Valentine’s cards for children at the hospital, packed gift boxes for Samaritan’s Purse, and supported children at the Kentucky Swim Camp. Buerger volunteered at Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, assisting with the care of horses and maintaining the barn. She has been named to the Winter SEC Academic Honor Roll for four consecutive years. Buerger was also named a member of the 2024 CSCAA Second-Team Scholar All-America Team, a 2022 CSCAA Scholar All-America Honorable Mention honoree, and a University of Kentucky Athletics Frank G. Ham Society of Character Inductee.
Junior Drew Johnson developed a hurricane relief drive for those affected in his hometown of Clearwater, Fla., gathering supplies such as food, water, clothes and household items. He also got his college community involved with a donation raffle, which entitled the winners the chance to throw a pie in the face of a coach or a member of the UK supporting staff. Johnson has been recognized on the 2022-23 First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll and 2023-24 Winter SEC Academic Honor Roll.
These two hope to continue to be involved in the community, while also standing out competitively in the pool. Both the men’s and women’s swimming and diving team will spend the rest of the week in Athens, Ga. competing for the SEC Championship. Results, streaming, and more can be found here.
For the latest on UK Swimming & Diving, follow @UKswimdive on Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
