University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
UNC-Wilmington
Vols Open Year with Sweep at UNCW Pool
September 25, 2015 | Swimming & Diving
WILMINGTON, N.C. -- The Tennessee swimming and diving program opened the 2015-16 season with a pair of victories over UNC Wilmington on Friday at the Seahawk Natatorium.
The Vols won 26 of 30 swimming events between the men and women. The UT men beat the Seahawks 185-93; the Tennessee women defeated UNCW 221-58.
Divers competed in three-dive exhibitions, with seniors Mauricio Robles and Sarah Chewning winning a pair of events each.
Both the men and women won the opening 400 medley relay and then swept first through fourth place in 1,000 freestyles. The Vols never looked back form that point, continuing to pull away in their annual meet against UNCW.
Thirteen swimmers and four divers made their Tennessee debuts. Four of them won their first events for the Orange and White.
For the women, Christina Paspalas earned a win in the 50-yard backstroke (26.93) and came in second in the 100 backstroke (57.50) behind senior Harper Bruens. Hannah Holman won the 100 butterfly (56.07), placed second in the 400 IM (4:28.29) and was part of the winning 200 freestyle relay. Kira Toussaint, a junior transfer from Florida Gulf Coast, won the 100 IM (58.51).
For the men, Ethan Browne was a debut winner, taking first in the 50 breaststroke (26.31) and second in the 400 IM (4:10.49).
"It was really good to see all our newcomers perform," Tennessee head coach Matt Kredich said. "Hannah Holman and Kira Toussaint were impressive. Ethan Browne showed himself to be a racer. There's a big difference between practice and competition for some people when you've got the intensity and emotions of a meet."
Among the veterans, senior Lauren Driscoll was an individual multi-event winner. She reached the wall first in the the 200 freestyle (1:52.93) and 400 IM (4:18.66).
Robles and Chewning both won 1-meter and 3-meter competitions, which were shorter 3-dive exhibition events. With only three dives on 3-meter, Robles still cracked the 200-point line, finishing with 209.33 points.
"Our divers were solid under somewhat adverse conditions earning two solid wins apiece by seniors Mauricio Robles and Sarah Chewning," Tennessee diving coach Dave Parrington said. "I was pleased with the performance of our freshmen, all of whom competed with poise and confidence. It was great having seniors Samantha Lera and Sarah Chewning back after off-season foot surgeries."
The meet against UNC Wilmington is part of the Vols' annual preseason training trip to Wrightsville Beach. Though it rained on the team's arrival Thursday, Kredich said the squad got plenty of good work in on the beach.
Weather permitting, Tennessee and UNC Wilmington will compete in an annual open water swim on Saturday morning.
"Any day on the beach is a good day," Kredich said. "We had a blast out there yesterday. We did a lie down paddleboard workout. It was our first time doing that, and it got really competitive. We had great training on the beach as well. The open water swim is still up in the air, but if conditions are good, we'll be out there."
DIVING RESULTS
Women's 1M
1. Sarah Chewning, UT, 142.73
2. Rachel Rubadue, UT, 134.55
3. Rachel McCormick, UNCW, 117.75
4. Ady Lowe, UT, 117.23
5. Bri Urich, 112,72
6. Samantha Lera, UT, 106.20
7. Sean Meyers, UT, 102.00
8. Casey Murdoch, UNCW, 99.45
9. Katie Kilgour, UNCW, 94.43
(EXO) Liz Kearns, UNCW, 160.28
Women's 3M
1. Sarah Chewning, UT, 146.70
2. Ady Lowe, UT, 145.20
3. Rachel Rubadue, UT, 141.30
4. Samantha Lera, UT, 124.43
5. Rachel McCormick, UNCW, 123.60
6. Casey Murdoch, UNCW, 122.70
7. Katie Kilgour, UNCW, 116.10
8. Bri Urich, UNCW, 113.03
9. Sean Meyers, UT, 106.88
Men's 1M
1. Mauricio Robles, UT, 185.40
2. Liam Stone, UT, 172.95
3. Michael Howell, UT, 160.65
4. Nathan Lane, UNCW, 147.45
5. Devin Hall, UNCW 132.75
6. Allen Crosby, UNCW, 131.03
7. Nick Rusek, UT, 127.65
8. Dylan Johnson, UNCW, 96.45
9. Andrew Breedlove, UNCW, 91.65
Men's 3M
1. Mauricio Robles, UT, 209.33
2. Nick Rusek, UT, 162.68
3. Allen Crosby, UNCW, 162.30
4. Liam Stone, UT, 146.25
5. Michael Howell, UT, 141.53
6. Devin Hall, UNCW, 138.83
7. Nathan Lane, UNCW, 129.00
8. Dylan Johnson, UNCW, 101.10
9. Andrew Breedlove, UNCW, 83.63
