University of Tennessee Athletics
Aqua Vols Host Florida Saturday on Senior Day
January 30, 2004 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Jan. 30, 2004
The 14th-ranked Tennessee men's swimming and diving team takes on the No. 5 Florida Gators Saturday at the Student Aquatic Center. The Vols will honor their senior class before competing at home for the last time.
"Our guys have been training hard for the NCAA Championships and will have to step up and race them tired," assistant coach Joe Hendee said. "We have a great group of seniors leading our young team this year. To replace their leadership will be tough and we appreciate all their efforts over the years."
Co-captain Andrew Bree has been a valuable asset for the Vols. Bree represented Ireland in the 2000 Olympics before coming to UT in 2001. Bree holds the team's top times in the 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke and the 200 individual medley. He is second to former Olympian Jeremy Linn in the 200-meter breaststroke in UT's all-time best swims. As a sophomore, Bree earned two All-America honors, going to the finals in both the 200-meter breastroke and the 800-meter freestyle relay. Last year, Bree returned from an ankle injury to finish 10th in the 200-yard breaststroke and 24th in the 100-yard breaststroke at the NCAA Championships. At the Nike Cup Invitational held earlier this year, Bree swam a 1:55.55 in the 200-yard breaststroke, a 53.94 in the 100-yard breaststroke, and a 1:47.51 in the 200-yard IM, winning all three events. His parents are Barney and Ann Bree of Helens Bay, Northern Ireland.
Evan Fischer joined the Vols from Carson City, Nev., where he was a two-time scholastic All-American and state runner-up in the 100-yard breaststroke. As a freshman, Fischer won the team's training run to the top of Mt. LeConte in just over an hour. At the Nike Cup Invitational hosted earlier this year, Fischer finished seventh in both the 100-yard breaststroke and 200-yard IM. Top times include a 56.26 in the 100-yard breaststroke, 2:01.27 in the 200-yard breaststroke, and 1:51.15 in the 200-yard IM. His parents are Michael and Linda Fischer of Carson City, Nev., and he has three older sisters: Jessica, Erica, and Rebecca.
Jamie Graves shares the title of team captain this year. Graves is from Wheaton, Ill. where he was state champion in the 100-meter butterfly. Last year, Graves finished seventh in the 200-yard butterfly in 1:46.17, and eighth in the 100-yard butterfly in 48.01 seconds. His 200-yard butterfly time places him fifth in the all-time top swims for the Vols and his 100-yard butterfly is ninth. As a sophomore, he competed in the U.S. Nationals where he earned a fourth-place team finish. Earlier this year, he swam to a second-place finish against Kentucky and Indiana in the 200-yard butterfly. He finished second in the super-final of the Nike Cup Invitational with a 1:47.67. His parents are Bill and Kathy Graves.
Evan Nylander came to Tennessee from Tucker, Ga. At Lakeside High School, Nylander was a two-time state record holder and state champion as well as a captain and four-year letterman. As a freshman, he was third in the one-meter and three-meter springboards at the Orange and White intrasquad meet. His sophomore year, Nylander swam to a fourth-place finish in the 1650-yard freestyle and an eighth-place finish in the 500-yard freestyle at the SEC Championships. He was also named UT's most improved swimmer. In 2002, Nylander was named Mr. Clutch by the coaches after a great year which included an 11th-place finish in the 800-yard freestyle relay at NCAA Championships. Evan's parents are Paul and JoDee Nylander of Tucker, Ga. His brother, Carl, swam for Georgia Tech.
Raymond Rosal joins the Vols after transferring from Indian River Community College in Florida. Rosal was a six-time gold medalist in the Center American Games, a three-time junior national champion, and a runner-up in the junior college national championships in the 50-yard freestyle (20.11 seconds). In his first year as a Vol, Rosal anchored the 200-yard medley relay that finished 14th at the NCAA meet. He also had a split time of 43.6 seconds in the 400-yard freestyle relay to help the Vols finish 11th. At the Nike Cup Invitational, he swam on the 400-yard freestyle relay that posted the fastest time in the country and ranks second among UT's all-time top relays. Rosal also finished third in the 50-yard freestyle (20.27 seconds) and second in the 100-meter freestyle (44.35 seconds). He finished first in the 50-yard freestyle against Virginia, Indiana, and Kentucky. His parents are Ramon and Yeni Rosal.
Rounding out the group of recognized seniors is Christine Lee of Knoxville, a graduate of Karns High Schol. She is the captain of the Timettes and has helped out the team for five years, including three as a captain. Her parents are Bobby and Melinda Lee, and she has a sister, Leslie, who also graduated from Karns High School.
The meet will begin with one-meter diving at noon, followed by the senior awards and the regular meet schedule.
