Tennessee Swimmers Take on World Stage in Pursuit of Olympic Qualification

DOHA, Qatar – Eleven swimmers will represent Tennessee on the international stage at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar, running February 11-18.

Tennessee's boasts representatives from 10 countries. Among them, three are currently on Tennessee's roster and two are signees set to join the Big Orange next season. The World Championships will offer a great opportunity for individuals to punch their ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics. So far, three current Tennessee swimmers have qualified for the Summer Games, including Martin Espernberger and Mona McSharry, who will be competing in Doha this week. Jordan Crooks is the third but remains in Knoxville ahead of SECs and NCAAs.

The other individuals competing next week are Tess Cieplucha, Jillian Crooks, Lyubomir Epitropov, Ella Jansen, Rafael Ponce de Leon Castilla, Kristen Romano (UT Pro Group), Peter John Stevens, Cherelle Thompson and Kira Toussaint. Former diver Liam Stone has already competed in Doha earlier in the competition, placing 18th in the men's 3-meter synchronized and 26th on 3-meter.

Fans can catch the action on NBC Sports all week, as well as follow along on the World Aquatics website. All events will begin at 1:30 a.m. (EST) with prelims, and semifinals will occur at 11:00 a.m. The final of the event will commence the following day at 11:00 a.m. Below is a list of Tennessee representatives competing, and their schedule for the week.

Tess Cieplucha - Canada
LVFL Tess Cieplucha is set to compete in the 400 IM on behalf of Canada. She is seeking qualification for her second-consecutive Olympics, after competing in the 400 IM at the 2020 Games. The 2021 Short Course World Champion in the event won the 400 IM during last year's Speedo Canadian Championships.

Schedule
Feb. 18 - 400 IM Prelims

Jillian Crooks - Cayman Islands
Lady Vol signee Jillian Crooks is seeking her second-consecutive Olympics qualification in Doha this week. She will compete in the 50 free, 100 free and 100 back after competing in the 100 free at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Schedule
Feb. 12 - 100 Back Prelims
Feb. 15 - 100 Free Prelims
Feb. 17 - 50 Free Prelims

Lyubomir Epitropov - Bulgaria
Another VFL, Lyubomir Epitropov will compete in the 200 breast during the World Championships on behalf of his home country Bulgaria. He is seeking his second-consecutive Olympics performance, competing in the 100 & 200 breast at the 2020 Games.

Schedule
Feb. 15 - 200 Breast Prelims

Martin Espernberger - Austria
Current Vol Martin Espernberger is set to compete in the 200 fly at the World Championships this week. During the 2023 Toyota US Open, Espernberger swam a mark of 1:54.69 in the 200 fly, which was both a personal best and an Olympic-qualifying mark.

Schedule
Feb. 13 - 200 Fly Prelims

Ella Jansen - Canada
Tennessee signee Ella Jansen is set to compete in three events in Doha. The Canadian will see action in the 400 free, 200 fly and 400 IM during her appearance at the World Championships.

Schedule
Feb. 11 - 400 Free Prelims
Feb. 14 - 200 Fly Prelims
Feb. 18 - 400 IM Prelims

Mona McSharry - Ireland
Current Lady Vol Mona McSharry has already qualified for her second-consecutive Olympics in the 100 breast and will seek qualification in the 50 and 200 breast this week in Doha. The senior competed in the 100 and 200 breast at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Schedule
Feb. 12 - 100 Breast Prelims
Feb. 15 - 200 Breast Prelims
Feb. 17 - 50 Breast Prelims

Rafael Ponce de Leon Castilla - Peru
A current UT swimmer, Rafael Ponce de Leon Castilla will compete in two events over the next week. The senior will see action in the 200 and 400 free.

Schedule
Feb. 11 - 400 Free Prelims
Feb. 12 - 200 Free Prelims

Kristen Romano - Puerto Rico
UT Pro Group member Kristen Romano is set to compete in the 200 back, 200 IM and 400 IM during her time at the World Championships.

Schedule
Feb. 11 - 200 IM Prelims
Feb. 16 - 200 Back Prelims
Feb. 18 - 400 IM Prelims

PJ Stevens - Slovenia
Appearing at the World Championships for the third-consecutive year, PJ Stevens is set to compete in the 50 and 100 breast in Doha this week.

Schedule
Feb. 11 - 100 Breast Prelims
Feb. 13 - 50 Breast Prelims

Cherelle Thompson - Trinidad and Tobago
Seeking her second-consecutive Olympics appearance, LVFL Cherelle Thompson will compete in the 50 free and 50 fly. Representing her home country of Trinidad and Tobago, she competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the 50 free.

Schedule
Feb. 16 - 50 Fly Prelims
Feb. 17 - 50 Free Prelims

Kira Toussaint - Netherlands
LVFL Kira Toussaint is seeking her third-consecutive appearance at the Olympics and will compete in the 50 and 100 back in Doha. If she were to qualify, she would become the first Lady Vol swimmer in history to qualify for three straight Olympics and only the second to compete at three Olympic games.

Schedule
Feb. 12 - 100 Back Prelims
Feb. 14 - 50 Back Prelims

University of Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee Swimmers Take on World Stage in Pursuit of Olympic Qualification

Players Mentioned

Jordan Crooks

Lyubomir Epitropov

Martin Espernberger

Mona McSharry

Rafael Ponce de Leon Castilla

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