Nine Vols and Lady Vols Returning for Fifth Year

KNOXVILLE – Utilizing the option to return for a fifth year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, nine Tennessee swimmers and divers are returning to Rocky Top for the 2022-23 campaign.

On the men's side, six Vols will take advantage of the extra season: Luke Brice, Jarel Dillard, Lyubomir Epitropov, Michael Houlie, Aleksey Tarasenko and Matthew Wade, while Grace Cable, Emma Carlton and Bayley Stewart return for the Lady Vols.

Collectively, Tennessee returns six individuals who have medaled at SEC Championships, winning a combined 11 medals. Eight of the nine have earned All-America status in at least one event, totaling 23 certificates between them. They've amassed 28 top-10 times/scores, including relays, in the Tennessee record books.

Luke Brice // Freestyle, Butterfly
Brice helped lead the Vols to a title at the CSCAA National Invitational Championships this year. He was also a member of Tennessee's SEC roster that earned the highest finish in the conference championships since 2001, tying for second.

The three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selection and 2021 CSCAA Scholar All-America Team honoree tied for the ninth-fastest time in program history in the 100 fly (46.29) during UT's Last Chance Meet. His other top times from the season were 20.03 in the 50 free, 46.77 in the 100 free and 1:46.68 in the 200 fly.

Grace Cable // Springboards
With an already loaded roster, Tennessee's run at a second straight SEC title next season will be bolstered by the return of Cable. The two-time All-American scored 52 points for the Lady Vols at this year's conference championship after advancing to the A final on the 1-meter (290.65) and 3-meter (331.45), placing fifth and seventh, respectively.

Cable narrowly missed qualifying for finals at the NCAA Championships this season, placing 18^th on the 3-meter (313.95) and 19^th on platform (258.85). Also a member of the 2020 SEC Championship roster, she brought home the bronze medal on the 1-meter to earn All-SEC Second Team honors.

Emma Carlton // Freestyle, Butterfly
During her first season on Rocky Top, Carlton saw action in 11 competitions, including a strong finish to the season at the CSCAA National Invitational Championship. The two-time All-America selection helped the Lady Vols to a third place finish after advancing to the A finals in four events, highlighted by podium finishes in the 50 fly (1st/23.55) and 50 free (2nd/22.71).

Jarel Dillard // Breaststroke
Dillard is coming off the best season of his career, earning First Team All-America honors in the 100 breast after placing eighth overall at NCAAs. During the SEC Championships, he brought home the silver medal in the event after breaking the Tennessee record with a 51.23 mark and also placed eighth in the 200 breast.

As a member of the Vols' 400 medley relay, Dillard helped the group to a bronze medal at SECs and All-America status in the event. During the NCAA Championships, the relay posted the fastest time in UT history, touching the wall in 3:04.01 to finish 13th in the country.

Lyubomir Epitropov // Breaststroke
The 2021 SEC Champion and All-American in the 200 breast, Epitropov returns after missing the majority of this past spring. During the season, he won four races in the 200 breast, and during the Tennessee Invitational, he broke his own program record with a time of 1:52.47.

In addition to his success at the collegiate level, Epitropov represented Bulgaria at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2021 Short Course World Championships. He will also compete in the upcoming World Championships in Budapest.

Michael Houlie // Breaststroke
Rounding out the Vols' dynamic breaststroke trio, Houlie is one of the most decorated members on the Tennessee squad, boasting five SEC medals and five All-America certificates. In 2021, four-time All-SEC selection won silver in the 100 breast and bronze in the 200 breast, ranking second and fourth all time in the Tennessee record books in those events, respectively.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympian for South Africa has been a member of three medal-winning 200 medley relays, bringing home silver in 2019 and 2020 along with taking bronze at this year's SEC Championships. He's a member of five of the top 10 times in program history in the event, including the UT record time of 1:22.79.

Bayley Stewart // Backstroke
Stewart arrived at Tennessee as a two-time All-American, specializing in the backstroke. In her first season with the Lady Vols, she qualified for the NCAA Championships, competing in both backstrokes, and was a member of the SEC Championship roster. She scored 16 points for the squad. During the Tennessee Invitational, she threw down the sixth-best time in program history in the 200 back, touching the wall in 1:53.82.

Aleksey Tarasenko // Freestyle
A midyear enrollee last season, Tarasenko wasted no time making an impact for the Vols. In only his third meet with the team, he advanced to the finals in each of his three individual events, highlighted by a seventh-place finish in the 100 free, to score 52.5 points at the SEC Championships. During the week, he set personal records in the 50 free (19.47), 100 free (42.72) and 200 free (1:34.67). He was also a member of the 400 free relay that won silver with a program-record mark of 2:48.46, tying Tennessee for second in the final standings, which marked the team's best finish since 2001.

Matthew Wade // Springboards
A seven-time All-America honoree, Wade's career accolades include 2020 All-SEC Second Team recognition and 2019 SEC Male Freshman Diver of the Year honors. At his best on the 3-meter springboard, he has advanced to the A finals in the event during all four of his SEC Championship appearances, including bringing home the bronze in 2020.

Wade earned All-America honorable mention status this season after finishing 13th overall on the 3-meter (377.70) at the NCAA Championships. For his career, he owns the fifth-best mark on the platform in UT history while ranking eighth on 3-meter.

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University of Tennessee Athletics

Players Mentioned

Luke Brice

Grace Cable

Emma Carlton

Jarel Dillard

Lyubomir Epitropov

Michael Houlie

Bayley Stewart

Aleksey Tarasenko

Matthew Wade

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