University of Tennessee Athletics
SENIORS SAY GOODBYE SATURDAY AGAINST GEORGIA
January 18, 2007 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Jan. 18, 2007
Tennessee Aqua Vols await Senior Day when the ninth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs invade the home-waters of the Ray Bussard Intercollegiate Aquatic Center Saturday at 1:00.
"This team of Tennessee Volunteers - in particular this senior class - has endured some pretty tough times in Knoxville," head swim coach John Trembley said. "They were promised to compete in the Allan Jones Aquatic Center, and because of delays, that will not happen. They've also seen some teammates sustain injury, but they have stayed-the-course because they are great team-members, great competitors and remarkable student athletes."
Seniors Brad Boswell, Andrew Engle, Peter McVey, Michael Russo, Chris Wary, and Travis Wright conclude their careers as Volunteers not after having forgone many hardships.
Losing two athletes to injuries, one to NCAA regulations and another to University requirements did not completely extinguish the seniors flare during their career as Swim Vols. These seniors boast two All-Americas and seven SEC Academic Honor Roll Awards. Senior All-America Boswell earned two SEC Goodworks Team honors during his tenure at Knoxville. In their four years, Tennessee seniors have earned three top-5 SEC finishes as well as four top-20 NCAA finishes.
As for this season, theses seniors have led this year's team to the only remaining undefeated record in the Southeastern Conference. Defending National Champions, the Auburn Tigers, suffered their first loss in 44 consecutive dual meets against Texas last Thursday. These seniors hope to remain not only the only undefeated team in the SEC but also the only unbeaten team on campus as they head into Saturday's meet.
"This is a special day in their lives in that Saturday they will be recognized as outgoing seniors as we celebrate Senior Day," Trembley said. "Although they will be missed, their legacy will hopefully be upheld starting with this Saturday."
Senior day nostalgia, however, cannot blind the Vols' intense focus on the ninth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs.
"There should be some great competition," Trembley said. "Georgia has performed very well this season, but we tend to do very well in the underdog role."
This dual meet which will be combined with the women's competition is the Volunteers last chance to improve before the SEC Championships begin on Feb. 2-4 for diving and Feb. 7-10 for swimming.
A meet that combines the last home meet, the senior swimmers' celebration, many parent attendees and a top-20 clash between two SEC rivals will certainly not disappoint any swimming and diving spectator.
"We have parents in town and we'll be honoring our seniors," diving coach Dave Parrington said. "There will just be a special air around the pool."
Players Mentioned
