UK Athletes Make Waves: Dive into the Competition at Purdue this Friday!

West Lafayette, Ind. – The Kentucky swimming & diving team returns to the water this Friday as the Wildcats journey to Purdue, where the UK men’s team will face the Boilermakers, while the women’s team participates in a tri-meet with Purdue and Notre Dame. The competition is scheduled to commence at 10 a.m. at the Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center. Live results can be accessed through Meet Mobile and DiveMeets.

The Wildcat women’s squad comes off a convincing victory against Vanderbilt last Friday, where they triumphed over the Commodores, 174-82. Junior Grace Frericks, along with freshmen Katy Jost, Hayden Penny, and Billie Sherratt, each secured victories in two individual events, while Frericks also contributed to two successful relays. This win in Nashville brings the UK women’s record to 3-4 in dual meets this season.

Both Frericks and fifth-year Bridget Engel possess top-50 times in the nation this season, with Engel sitting at 27th in the 100 breast and 30th in the 200 breast, whereas Frericks is ranked 45th in the 200 back.

The Kentucky men’s team returns to action for the first time since their victory against No. 9 Tennessee last month, winning by a score of 173-127. Carson Hick (200 free, 500 free) and Jonathan Rom (100 breast, 200 breast) each won two events, contributing to the squad’s 10 total wins that day. The team is now 2-3 in dual meets this season and has received votes in the latest poll from the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA).

Four different members of the Wildcat men’s team are ranked in the nation’s top 50, led by Hick, who is 10th in the 1650 free and 21st in the 500 free. Distance swimmer Levi Sandidge closely follows, standing 12th in the mile and 21st in the 400 IM. Ryan Merani (28th in the 200 fly) and Rom (32nd in the 200 breast) also rank among the top 50 performers.

Order of Events for the Meet:

• 400 Medley Relay
• 1000 Free
• 200 Free
• 100 Back
• 100 Breast
• 200 Fly
• 50 Free
• 100 Free
• 200 Back
• 200 Breast
• 500 Free
• 100 Fly
• 400 IM (W) / 200 IM (M)
• 200 Free Relay (W) / 400 Free Relay (M)
• 1-Meter & 3-Meter Diving

NCAA B-Standards for 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
• Bridget Engel – 100 breast, 200 breast
• Billie Sherratt – 200 fly
• Hayden Penny – 200 IM, 400 IM
• Fernanda de Goeij – 400 IM

NCAA Zone Cuts for this season:

• Sam Duncan – 1-meter, 3-meter
• Gavin Hang – 3-meter
• Devynn Bishop – 3-meter, platform
• Abby Devereaux – 1-meter, 3-meter, platform
• Avery Giese – 1-meter, 3-meter
• Claire McDaniels – 1-meter, platform
• Kristy Pfaff – 1-meter, 3-meter

For the most up-to-date information on UK Swim & Dive, follow the Wildcats on X and Instagram at @UKSwimDive, and on Facebook at Kentucky Swimming and Diving.