Tennessee Invitational Notebook: Day 3

November 20, 2021 | Swimming & Diving

Tennessee swimming & diving wrapped up prelims on day three of the Tennessee Invitational, posting 22 personal records and six top-10 times in program history on the final day of the invite. The day's slate included the 200 backstroke, 100 freestyle, 200 breaststroke and 200 butterfly.

Here's a breakdown of each event:

200 Backstroke

Tennessee opened the day with a pair of top-10 performances in the school history in the 200 back. The Lady Vol duo of Bayley Stewart (1:53.82) and Summer Smith (1:54.07) threw down the fifth- and seventh-fastest times in UT history. Josephine Fuller recorded a time of 1:55.50 to put three Lady Vols in the A Final.

Danika Katzer (1:58.00) and Elle Caldow (1:58.45) earned spots in the B Final, while Kendall Shields (2:00.18), Olivia Harper (2:01.49) and Brooklyn Douthwright (2:02.22) advanced to the C Final. Amber Myers (2:02.57) will swim in the D Final.

On the men's side, Harrison Lierz recorded a 1:43.72 time to qualify for the A Final, while Griffin Hadley (1:45.91) and Gus Rothrock (1:46.93) will compete in the B Final.

PRs
Women
Summer Smith: 1:54.07 (7th in program history)
Brooklyn Douthwright: 2:02.22

Men
Gus Rothrock: 1:46.93

100 Freestyle

The 100 free races saw 13 different Vols and Lady Vols earn new PRs, highlighted by Jordan Crooks' 42.62, which ranks sixth in program history. Micah Chambers improved his best time with a 42.93 mark, which ranks ninth in the Tennessee record books. Both Vols earned spots in the A Final.

Nolan Briggs (43.56) and Seth Thompson-Bailey (43.62) posted NCAA B Cut times to qualify for the B Final. Three Vols will swim in the C Final.

On the women's side, Trude Rothrock's time of 48.76 would have qualified for last year's NCAA championships. She will be joined by Jasmine Rumley, who recorded a personal-best time of 48.80, in the A Final. The B Final will feature Tjasa Pintar (49.11), Julia Mrozinski (49.18) and Anna-Julia Kutsch (49.24). The C Final includes five Lady Vols, and the D Final will have one.

PRs
Women
Jasmine Rumley: 48.80
Julia Mrozinski: 49.18
Anna-Julia Kutsch: 49.24
Megan Sichterman: 49.70
Brooklyn Douthwright: 49.79
Elle Caldow: 50.37
Summer Eaker: 51.40
Lauren Wetherell: 52.07

Men
Jordan Crooks: 42.62 (6th in program history)
Micah Chambers: 42.93 (9th in program history)
Will Jackson: 44.34
Rafael Ponce de Leon Castilla: 44.84
Lyubomir Epitropov: 47.15

200 Breaststroke

Three Lady Vols advanced to the A Final of the 200 breast, led by Mona McSharry (2:08.58). Joining her will be Alexis Yager (2:09.80) and Emily Sykes (2:11.75). Alexandra Gebel is the lone swimmer in the B Final for UT, after touching the wall in 2:16.18. Josephine Fuller (2:16.41) and Asia Minnes (2:17.32) will swim in the C Final, while Jordan Aurnou-Rhees (2:21.71) and Sammy Huff (2:22.63) will be in the D Final.

The Vols had four of the top-10 times during the 200 breast prelims, advancing three to the A Final. Lyubomir Epitropov led the way with a time of 1:55.78, with Jarel Dillard not far behind at 1:55.98. Brett Champlin rounded out the top heat with a mark of 1:56.99. Michael Houlie will compete in the B Final after touching the wall in 1:58.30.

PRs
Women
Jordan Aurnou-Rhees: 2:21.71

200 Butterfly

The Lady Vols rounded out prelims by throwing down another pair of top-10 performances in program history, as Ellen Walshe (1:55.51) posted the fifth-fastest time in UT history followed by Sara Stotler (1:55.75) with the sixth-fastest time in the record books. Summer Smith (1:58.68) also qualified for the A Final. Kate McCarville's time of 2:01.66 earned her a spot in the B Final, and Quass Berit recorded a mark of 2:03.79 to swim in the C Final.

Joel Giraudeau paced three Vols to the men's A Final after touching the wall in 1:45.94. Gus Rothrock (1:46.80) and Luke Brice (1:47.56) also qualified for the top heat in finals.

PRs
Women
Ellen Walshe: 1:55.51 (5th in program history)
Sara Stotler: 1:55.75 (6th in program history)

Men
Gus Rothrock: 1:46.80
Luke Brice: 1:47.56
Dain Ripol: 1:50.54