Though the meet had to be rescheduled due to the incoming snowstorm, the Vols wasted no time in solidifying their dominance in the swim scene. Both Vols and Lady Vols brought home multiple records, personal bests and top finishes.
On the men’s side, No. 16 Tennessee fell to Georgia 155-142, while the No. 8 Lady Vols rose against Georgia 187-110.
The Lady Vols kicked the meet off with a podium sweep in the 200-yard medley relay. The A-team of Jillian Crooks, McKenzie Siroky, Ella Jansen and Camille Spink took first. Meanwhile, the B and C relays took second and third, respectively.
Freshman Avery Luedke shone during the 1000-yard freestyle, sporting a lifetime best of 9:51.06. Luedke earned herself a spot on the podium and picked up some much-needed points for the Lady Vols. Fellow Lady Vols also excelled in the 200-yard freestyle; both Jansen and Spink showcased their versatility and went 1-2 in the event. Jansen tied her lifetime best with a 1.42.69, while Spink followed close behind with a 1:41.65.
Canadian Regan Rathwell led the charge in the 100-yard backstroke. Rathwell is sporting a season best, along with Lexi Stephens and Alyssa Claborn. Then, right off her strong medley relay performance, Simone Moll came in first in the 100-yard breaststroke. Moll took a podium spot in the 200-yard breaststroke, her fellow Lady Vol Emelie Fast coming in right behind her.
Standout sophomore Emily Brown not only won the 200-yard IM but also finished strong in the 200-yard butterfly. Brown managed both a personal best and a new university record, edging out Sara Stotler’s 1:52.65 — an impressive add-on to an already impressive career.
Newcomer Mizuki Hirai came in first in the 100-yard butterfly, kickstarting her collegiate career with a 51.49 — a time that places her seventh in Tennessee’s record books. Hirai then led the charge in the 400-yard freestyle relay, the Lady Vols finishing with a 3:11.40 to finish first.
Lady Vol divers excelled as well, with Desharne Bent-Ashmeil sporting a 305.85 in the 1-meter dive and finishing first. Lynae Shorter and Emma Rhines finished close behind. Shorter took the win in the 3-meter springboard. The junior continues to make improvements in her somersault pike and tuck. Bent-Ashmeil and Rhines placed second and third.
While the Lady Vols took the meet, the Vols shone in their own way. Gui Caribe made a splash during his final SEC dual. The senior, sporting a swift 18.93 in the 50-yard freestyle, will be a strong contender at both the SEC Championships and the NCAAs. Sophomore Pedro Sansone sped past the Bulldogs to place second.
The men also stood out in the 100-yard backstroke. Freshman and World Championships qualifier Ulises Saravia came in second in both the 100- and 200-yard backstroke. His consistency earned him a lifetime best in each. Nick Simons followed up on his strength in the relay with a fifth-place finish in both the backstrokes as well. The Vols continued this energy throughout the meet, with freshman Gabe Nunziata sporting top finishes in the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke. Nunziata further showcased his versatility in the 200-yard IM, placing in the top six alongside Tony Laurito and Grayson Nye.
Vol divers made a splash as well, with Bennett Greene boasting a first-place finish in both the 1-meter and 3-meter dive. Freshman Thomas Ciprick brought his exemplary international experience to Georgia, coming in second in the 1-meter dive. However, both Owen Redfearn and Frazer Tavener improved on their former dives as well, also edging out the Bulldogs to score in the top five.
Overall, both Vols and Lady Vols had standout performances. Each one of the athletes is making a strong campaign for the upcoming SEC championships.
Tennessee’s next meet will take place on Friday, Jan. 30-31, against Duke in Knoxville, Tennessee.
