University of Tennessee Athletics
Vol Swimmers Ranked Eighth in Season's First Poll
October 30, 2008 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Oct. 30, 2008
The Tennessee Volunteers swimming and diving team has made a move into the nation's upper echelon. The release of the College Swimming Coaches Association's first national collegiate poll places UT eighth.
"Now we can clearly see that our program is among the nation's elite eight," head coach John Trembley said. "We are very pleased with the direction of our program."
Trembley added the ranking gives UT a more competitive advantage in recruiting the nation's top swimmers and divers. However, despite garnering this distinction the team still is very much focused on improving and winning championships.
"That is someone else's view of our team," senior Greg Houchin said. "That's not the way we view ourselves. Rankings aren't as important as the SEC or NCAA championships. We just want to stick to our training and improve."
"I don't really pay much attention to the rankings," All America co-captain Barry Murphy added. "It helps recruits know where we stand as a program, but our team won't be satisfied until we are first."
This year the Vols compete against six teams from the top 25, including three of the top 10. UT beat 19th ranked Louisville Oct. 16, and its next ranked opponent is NO. 12 Virginia. Tennessee will also see action against third -ranked Florida, fifth-ranked Michigan, ninth-ranked Georgia, and NO. 14 Indiana. Only three programs, Texas, Florida and Michigan, claim more top 25 opponents than the Vols.
"For today, it's good to be ranked eighth," Trembley said. "I think this certainly alerts top recruits nationally and internationally and when you factor in the Allan Jones Aquatic Center-- top recruits really have to consider Tennessee."
The rest of the top 10 includes No. 1 Texas followed by Stanford, Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Auburn and California. Georgia and Minnesota are tied for ninth.
