University of Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee Sets American Record; Wins Two Relays
February 21, 2001 | Men's Swimming & Diving
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Tennessee had a great start at the 2001 SEC Championships in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Wednesday as the Volunteers set an American Record in the 200 medley relay and won the SEC title in the 800 freestyle relay for the first time since 1976.
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The the first three events, Tennessee leads the meet with 104 points. Georgia is in second with 88 while Auburn stands in third with 83.
The quartet of Michael Gilliam, Jeremy McDonnell, Justin Hoggatt and Brent Owen reached the wall in a time of 1:25.37 to better the American Record as well as the SEC and Tennessee school records. The Vols led the race from the start following a blistering backstroke leg by Gilliam. The Vols extended the lead in the two successive legs as each of the first three swimmers paced the field with their split times. Owen, a Knoxville native, slipped as he came off the block to swim the final freestyle leg, but was able to coast in for the victory due to the tremendous lead.
We can go faster, said Vol head coach John Trembley. They know we can go faster and they are excited about the NCAA meet.
Thats what weve been shooting for all year, said junior Hoggatt. It was a great team effort. You could really feel the vibe throughout the race, said senior Owen.
That sets the pace and the mood for the rest of the meet, said senior Gilliam.
Gilliams words were proven true in the next race as the Vols produced an upset win in the 800 freestyle relay. The foursome of Greg Simpson, Andrew Bree, Zane DeWitz and Brett Tannhauser reached the wall in a time of 6:28.14 to produce the first SEC title in that event for UT since 1976.
Vol anchor man Brett Tannhauser commented that, Brees leg really stands out. Weve been searching for a fourth member of the relay all season and hes the missing link. We really pulled together as a team.
The action resumes tomorrow at the Alabama Aquatic Center with prelims at 11 a.m. (ET) and finals beginning at 7:30 p.m. (ET).
| One-Meter Diving | |
| 1. Clayton Moss UK | 357.80 |
| 2. Jud Campbell UG | 352.15 |
| 3. Brandon Hulko SC | 326.45 |
| 5. Shannon Roy UT | 310.95 |
| 10. Gabi Chereches UT | 263.40 |
| 14. Jake Dorsey UT | 240.75 |
| 200 Medley Relay | |
| 1. Tennessee | **1:25.37 |
| (Gilliam, McDonnell, Hoggatt, Owen) | |
| 2. Auburn | 1:25.77 |
| 3. Florida | 1:27.95 |
| ** American, SEC, Tennessee Records | |
| 800 Free Relay | |
| 1. Tennessee | 6:28.14 |
| (Simpson, Bree, DeWitz, Tannhauser) | |
| 2. Auburn | 6:28.63 |
| 3. Florida | 6:28.91 |
| Day One Standings | |
| 1. Tennessee | 104 |
| 2. Georgia | 88 |
| 3. Kentucky | 85 |
| 4. Auburn | 83 |
| 5. Louisiana State | 78 |
| 5. Florida | 78 |
| 7. Alabama | 50 |
| 8. South Carolina | 39 |
