Kentucky swimming & diving will return to the Lancaster Aquatic Center for its final home meet of the season on Saturday, Jan. 25, hosting Louisville in a senior day celebration. The senior day recognition will begin at 12:40 p.m. and air on SEC Network+, with the meet to follow. Admission is free for attendees, and fans can also follow the action on DiveMeets and the Meet Mobile app.
The program will honor nine seniors for their achievements in and out of the pool: Caroline Benda, Nick Caruso, Kaelan Daly, Abby Devereaux, Jack Hamilton, Olivia Mendenhall, Jackson Mussler, Chris Nagy, and Maddie Welborn. Fifth-year student-athletes and student managers will also be recognized for their contributions.
The Wildcats enter the meet after a weekend of standout performances against Auburn and Cincinnati, highlighted by a school-record swim from sophomore Carson Hick in the 1000 Freestyle with a time of 8:46.08. Other notable efforts included Gavin Hang (390.45) and Kristy Pfaff (309.75) on the diving boards, and Libby Grether in the 1000 Freestyle.
The women’s team fell to No. 19 Auburn (163-137) but secured a victory over Cincinnati (179-116). Grether and Bridget Engel delivered standout performances, with Engel winning the 200 breast at both meets. Billie Sherratt added two wins in the 200 fly, while Abby Devereaux claimed first place in 3-meter diving at both competitions.
On the men’s side, the Wildcats fell to No. 14 Auburn (179-121) despite Hick’s record-breaking swim but rebounded with a win against Cincinnati. Ryan Merani earned two victories in the 200 fly and 400 IM, Hick added wins in the 500 free, and diver Sam Duncan took first place in the 1-meter at both meets.
Saturday’s meet marks the Wildcats’ final home competition of the season and a challenging matchup against Louisville. The Cardinals men’s and women’s teams are ranked No. 10 and No. 8, respectively, in the latest College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Top 25 poll, while Kentucky’s men’s team is ranked No. 22.
The Wildcats will look to cap off their home season with strong performances as they celebrate their senior athletes and prepare for the road ahead.
NCAA B-Standards this season:
- Lauren West – 200 free
- Libby Grether – 500 free
- Samantha Hamilton – 500 free, 1650 free
- Grace Frericks – 100 back, 200 back
- Torie Buerger – 200 back
- Paige Taber – 200 back
- Bridget Engel – 100 breast, 200 breast
- Billie Sherratt – 200 fly
- Hayden Penny – 200 IM, 400 IM
- Fernanda de Goeij – 400 IM
- Carson Hick – 500 free, 1650 free, 400 IM
- Levi Sandidge – 500 free, 1650 free, 400 IM
- Caue Gluck – 500 free
- Chris Nagy – 1650 free
- Devin Naoroz – 100 back, 200 back
- Szymon Mieczkowski – 200 back
- Adomas Gatulis – 100 breast
- Jonathan Rom – 200 breast
- Ryan Merani – 200 fly, 200 IM
NCAA Zone Cuts this season:
- Sam Duncan – 1-meter, 3-meter
- Gavin Hang – 1-meter, 3-meter
- Devynn Bishop – 3-meter, platform
- Abby Devereaux – 1-meter, 3-meter, platform
- Avery Giese – 1-meter, 3-meter
- Claire McDaniels – 1-meter, 3-meter, platform
- Kristy Pfaff – 1-meter, 3-meter