University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Tennessee Invitational
Vols Narrow Gap, Trail by 10 Points Entering Final Day
November 20, 2009 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Nov. 20, 2009
Drew Rutherford
UTsports.com
After the second day of competition at the Tennessee Invitational the Tennessee men's swimming and diving team trails first-ranked Kentucky by 10 points. The Wildcats leave the pool Friday with 614 points with The Big Orange at 604.
"More importantly than closing the gap, we had some really strong swims today and earned some B-cuts," Tennessee head coach John Trembley said. "We raced harder today and I think the whole tempo of the meet increased today."
Tennessee started strong with an NCAA B-cut time in the 200 medley relay. The team of Ricky Henahan, Mattias Kahlin, Michael DeRocco and Giles Smith swam a 1:28.87 in the win for the Big Orange. Also scoring was the team of Anders Storvik, Brad Craig, Herbie Behm and Ed Walsh in seventh place (1:31.75).
Sophomore Jake Epperson earned the second win for Tennessee in the 400 I.M. The Toledo, Ohio, native swam a 3:56.90, finishing nearly three seconds ahead of the second place swimmer. Junior Patrick Beasley finished fourth at 4:00.29.
In the 100 butterfly, DeRocco grabbed second with a B-cut time of 47.85. With a career-best performance, Smith finished third and also had a B-cut with a 48.17 time. Henahan placed 12th (50.30), Forrest Leary finished 18th (50.94) Behm placed 23rd (52.38).
Craig led the Vols in the 100 breaststroke with a third-place, B-cut time of 55.41. Junior Mattias Kahlin placed fourth and also earned a B-cut time at 55.44. Sophomore Derek Paul placed ninth (58.20).
The 200 freestyle was close to the finish, with the Vols' Ryan Harrison being beat at the wall. Harrison placed second with a B-cut time of 1:36.71. Storvik finished fifth at 1:38.83. Junior Chris Winchell won the consolation heat and scored in ninth (1:40.56). Junior Carl Jones scored in 10th (1:40.63) and co-captain Geoff Sanders placed 16th (1:42.35). Walsh placed 17th (1:41.39) and won the C-Final and Knoxville, Tenn., native Michael Zaczyk finished 23rd (1:44.51).
Entering with the fastest 100 backstroke in the country, Henahan led the pack with a win and a B-cut time of 48.54. Storvik earned a second-place finish with a 49.11 mark.
To wrap up the second day of competition the Vols placed third with a B-cut time in the 800 freestyle relay. The Vol squad of Smith, Harrison, Storvik and Epperson swam a 6:35.28. In fourth place and scoring for the Big Orange was the team of Winchell, Wensel, Walsh and Jones, swimming a 6:45.59 time.
Heading into the final day behind Kentucky and Tennessee was Alabama in third at 555 points and Virginia Tech in fourth at 401.
TENNESSEE DIVING INVITATIONAL
In the one-meter diving event, the defending SEC champ Aaron Fleshner of Alabama took first at 376.65. Michael McDonald of Virginia Tech earned second (355.55).
Sophomore Ryan Helms placed third at 350.40. Freshman Jordan Mauney placed fifth (299.70) and Knoxville, Tenn. Native Sean Letsinger placed ninth (209.15).
"We had some competitive dives today," Tennessee head coach Dave Parrington said. "Ryan had a chance to win but didn't quite finish. We are looking to improve tomorrow. We are excited to have Michael Muscari back, as well."
The senior co-captain Muscari missed the first two days of diving competition due to the flu. He will compete Saturday in the platform event.
Players Mentioned
