University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Kentucky
Vols Drop Cats For Second Conference Win
October 30, 2009 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Oct. 30, 2009
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For the 34th consecutive time, the Tennessee swimming and diving team rolled to a victory over Kentucky. The Big Orange, not having lost to the Wildcats since 1952, earned the win over the Wildcats Friday in Knoxville, 180-120.
Before the swimming competition began, the divers hit the boards in the one-meter springboard competition. With a season high mark, sophomore sensation Ryan Helms posted a 346.80 to win the event for the Vols. Senior co-captain Michael Muscari grabbed second place (335.48) while freshman Jordan Mauney finished third (292.88).
On the three-meter, Helms scored a victory with a season-best 418.58. This is the highest score Helms has ever posted in a collegiate event and an Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center record. Muscari placed third (312.28) with Mauney in fourth (300.30).
"We had some strong performances today. Ryan Helms, the two-time SEC Diver of the Week this season, had an excellent performance today.," Tennessee head coach John Trembley said. "Kentucky was a more seasoned team and we both competed very well today."
Tennessee was led in the 200 medley relay by SEC swimmer of the week Ricky Henahan. With the support of Brad Craig, Michael DeRocco and Herbie Behm, the Vols won the opening swimming event of the competition with a 1:30.33 time.
In the 1000 freestyle, junior Carl Jones raced to a victory with a 9:34.77. Knoxville, Tenn., native Michael Zaczyk had a season-best performance, placing second at 9:37.30. Scott Friderichs placed sixth (9:55.59).
Patrick Beasley won the 200 butterfly at 1:52.44. Jiunior co-captain Geoff Sanders finished second (1:54.10) with sophomore Jake Epperson in sixth (1:57.19).
For Beasley and Jones, Friday marked their first career, collegiate victories.
"Those are two athletes who work incredibly hard," Trembley said. "I'm very proud of those two."
Beat out at the wall, Ryan Harrison finished second in the 200 freestyle by .16 seconds. Junior Chris Winchell placed fourth (1:41.78) and freshman Seth Wensel placed sixth (1:44.26).
Entering the meet as the nation's fastest 100 backstroker, Henahan remained undefeated in the event with a 49.03 win. Sophomore Anders Storvik earned a second-place finish with a 51.44 while freshman Paschall Davis placed sixth (54.53).
Craig swam to an impressive win in the 100 breaststroke behind a 55.93 mark. In second, Kahlin swam a 57.32 with sophomore Derek Paul in fifth at 59.16.
The Big Orange earned a one-two finish in the 100 backstroke with Storvik winning on a 1:50.41 mark and Henahan in second at 1:52.50. Zaczyk placed fourth with a 1:56.03 time.
Craig earned his second win of the day in the 200 breaststroke with a 2:01.03 mark. The Vols swept the top three in the event with Jake Epperson in second (2:06.67) and Kahlin in third (2:09.19).
In the 500 freestyle, Sanders earned his first win of the day with a 4:37.71 performance. Jones placed fourth (4:40.60) and Winchell was fifth (4:40.71).
Narrowly beat at the wall, DeRocco placed second in the 100 butterfly (49.59) while Smith matched a season best with a 49.89 third-place finish.
Following his second-place performance in the 200 breaststroke, Epperson won the 400 IM in 4:05.20. Patrick Beasley was second in 4:09.11, and Winchell was third (4:10.19).
Kentucky won the 200 freestyle relay by the slimmest of margins, finishing in 1:21.37. The Vols ended in 1:21.67.
Tennessee improves to 3-0 on the season and 2-0 in the SEC. The Vols are a perfect 5-0 at home all-time and will welcome the South Carolina Gamecocks to The Hill Friday Nov. 6.
Players Mentioned
