Tennessee Sweeps UNCW in Swimming & Diving Opener

Friday, October 6

Wilmington, NC

2:00 PM

University of Tennessee

UNC Wilmington

October 06, 2017 | Swimming & Diving

Results

WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Tennessee swimming and diving team swept UNC Wilmington in the men's and women's competition Friday to open the regular season at Seahawk Natatorium.

Led by two-win days from junior diver Rachel Rubadue, sophomore Erika Brown and freshman Alexis Yager, the Tennessee women won 13 of 16 events in a 201-99 victory. The men won 11 of 16 events behind a 177-123 team effort in which no Vol won multiple events.

"I was pleased with how we competed today, and it was good for our freshmen to be in another competitive situation," Tennessee head coach Matt Kredich said. "For swimmers competing in the same events as they did at the Orange and White Meet, in most cases, we improved. We saw some mistakes, but it was not unexpected and something we will clean up.

Ninteen Vols made their career debuts, including 17 freshmen. The incoming class provided four victories, led by Yager's wins in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:19.04) and 200 individual medley (2:05.71). For the women, freshman Amanda Nunan won the 1000 freestyle (10:19.20) and Tjasa Pintar took first in the 200 freestyle (1:52.47).

"Alexis Yager was really impressive," Kredich said. "She's a great racer. In competition, she'll just flip a switch."

The Lady Vols enjoyed six races ending in 1-2-3 finishes for the orange and white. Brown earned her first-place honors in the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly.

Additional wins for the UT women in the pool included: Katie Armitage in the 100 breaststroke (1:03.68), Micah Bohon in the 200 backstroke (2:03.66) and Brianna Leverenz in the 500 freestyle (5:07.63).

In addition to diving victories from Liam Stone and Colin Zeng, The Tennessee men got wins from Sam Rice in the 1000 freestyle (9:27.87), Taylor Abbott in the 200 freestyle (1:40.68), Braga Verhage in the 50 freestyle (20.94), Sam McHugh in the 200 backstroke (1:52.32), Jared Clance in the 200 breaststroke (2:05.88), Hayden Burns in the 500 freestyle (4:36.33) and Ryan Coetzee in the 100 butterfly (50.15).

Tennessee swept the four diving events, which had a full slate of competitors with the University of Richmond bringing four divers to the meet.

Rachel Rubadue won both the 3-meter springboard (268.18) and the 1-meter (262.70). The men took the top four spots in both diving events with junior Ohio State transfer Colin Zeng winning 1-meter (316.60) and Liam Stone getting the victory on 3-meter (326.50).

"It was good to go against some competition besides ourselves in practice and have our freshmen have a chance to compete in orange for the first time," Tennessee diving coach Dave Parrington said. "Colin dove for us for the first time officially as well. We had some good moments and some mistakes, which is to be expected this time of year. Their attitude was phenomenal and I was pleased with the performance."

The Vols are back in action next week with a road meet at Auburn on Oct. 13, followed by a meet against Wisconsin in Auburn's pool the next day.