University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Will Be Tested at Indiana Tri-Meet
January 08, 2009 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Jan. 8, 2009
The UT men's swimming and diving team will face one of their season's biggest challenges this weekend in Bloomington, Ind. The Vols will get back into action at noon Saturday against two top 15 opponents: fifth-ranked Michigan and no.14 Indiana.
The Big Orange take an undefeated 4-0 dual-meet record to Indiana's Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center as they attempt to remain perfect on the season. Tennessee swimmers haven't competed since beating out Virginia Tech and Kentucky in the Tennessee Swimming Invitational November 19-22. Over the holiday break, senior co-captain Barry Murphy competed for Ireland in the European Short Course Championships in Rijeka, Croatia. The UT diving team made a strong appearance in the Tennessee Diving Invitational Jan. 3-5, finishing at least one diver in the top five of every event.
When the College Swimming Coaches Association released its last poll Dec. 11, it listed Tennessee in sixth-place, making the Vols the highest ranked team in the Southeastern Conference.
Heading into the meet Saturday, Tennessee holds the fastest times in the SEC in the 50 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 200 backstroke, 400 individual medley, 200 freestyle relay, 400 freestyle relay, 800 freestyle relay and 200 medley relay.
The Vols also currently hold the fastest NCAA times in the 50 freestyle, 800 freestyle relay and 200 medley relay.
Michigan is currently the highest ranked opponent on Tennessee's schedule, and when the tri--meet begins at Saturday it will be the first time the Vols have ever met the Wolverines. Earlier this season, Michigan defeated Indiana 227-151 in Ann Arbor. With the win over IU and their season opening win over Florida, Michigan has a 2-1 dual-meet record this season with the lone loss coming to top-ranked Texas. Michigan is the highest ranked of all Big Ten Conference teams.
Tennessee holds a 1-1 all-time record against Indiana with the Hoosiers taking the last meeting in 2005. The Hoosiers have a 2-2 dual-meet record this season. Indiana opened the season with wins over Kentucky and Northwestern and then dropped two straight to Michigan and Texas. IU has been ranked 14th since the CSCA released its first NCAA swimming rankings in October.
Players Mentioned
