One of the more buzzworthy events for the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams here at the University of Tennessee is the annual Orange and White Intersquad Meet.

In this meet, both teams are split up to represent either the Orange Team or the White Team. Many alumni and former swimming and diving student-athletes attend this meet each year.

“Whenever you’re on a team, Orange or White, you’re on that team for life,” head coach Matt Kredich said. “Each year, the freshmen are drafted onto one team or the other by the existing team, then the teams create their own lineups. It’s usually led by the seniors or the older members.”

The team as a whole is coming off a victory against UNC Wilmington, where UT earned the top score in all 32 events, with the men winning their meet, 174-117, and the women emerging victorious, 166-120.

“We had some great races at Wilmington,” Kredich said. “We got the chance to see some freshmen competing and to shake off some cobwebs … We were able to bring a lot of energy. We were able to step into an identity that we’ve talked about but haven’t quite demonstrated. (We’re) a team that’s very competitive and is gonna win finishes and win close races.”

At last year’s Orange and White Meet, the White Team won bragging rights. The White Team picked up victories in 20 of the 32 events last year, handling the Orange Team with a score of, 311-251.

Although actual leaders for each team have yet to be determined, junior backstroke Jimmy Dagley said he looks to lead the White Team to another victory. Dagley won the 100m backstroke competition at last year’s event, and the junior freestyle/backstroker thinks the main strength of the White Team is in the pool.

“We got a lot of depth in a lot of different events,” Dagley said. “We’re really looking up. I expect us to win, and I don’t foresee us losing to Orange Team. I’m certainly not gonna let that happen, and I’m gonna do everything in my power to make sure that doesn’t happen,”

On the women’s side, backstroker and junior in business analytics, Anna DeMonte, is on the Orange Team. After winning the 200m backstroke at last year’s meet, DeMonte has full confidence in her squad this year to bounce back and win.

“Our team spirit is way, way better than the White Team’s,” DeMonte said. “We’re all passionate for the Orange Team. I feel that the Orange and White meet is all about team spirit.

“I think the best thing I can do for the team is to get them more passionate for being on the Orange Team. When you have more passion, you swim better and with more aggression.”

The Orange and White Intersquad Meet will take place Oct. 16 at 3 p.m. in the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center.