Reed places first in 100-freestyle
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky swimming and diving teams opened the 2011-12 season on Saturday afternoon in Knoxville, Tenn., in a double-dual meet that featured Indiana University and the University of Tennessee with many impressive individual performances.
“We ran into two very good teams,” Kentucky head coach Gary Conelly said. “While the scores weren’t very pretty, we did a lot of good things. Christina Bechtel, Abby Myers and Megan Eppler really stood out today, as did Tyler Reed and Chris Lott.”
Megan Eppler led the way for Kentucky on the women’s side, posting numerous scores placing her in the top ten of two events. Eppler posted a career-best 51.27 in the 100-yard freestyle, placing fourth overall in the event. The Exeter, Calif. also third in the 100-freestyle, recording a score of 23.61 seconds.
In the 200-yard butterfly, Christina Bechtel and Abby Myers led the charge finishing second and fourth respectively. Both freshmen, Bechtel recorded a 2:02.71, finishing second overall, while Abby Myers swam a 2:03.64.
On the men’s side, senior captain Tyler Reed continued to impress, posting a time of 45.24 in the 100-freestyle, good enough to win the event. Reed also swam well in the 200-freestyle, placing second overall claiming a time of 1:39.13.
Junior Maclin Simpson performed very well today in the 100 and 200-butterfly, posting scores of 51.19 and 1:52.29 respectfully. Both scores were good enough to place him into the top eight of each event. Matt Russell also swam well today for the Cats, posting an impressive 56.97 in the 100-breaststroke, good enough to place in the top three of the event.
“We have some big challenges ahead of us, but I feel very good about this team’s ability to handle those challenges.” Conelly said.
The Wildcats also did well in the 100-butterfly, talking claim to three of the top six finishing positions. Bechtel led the way for UK finishing second overall, and claiming a 55.66 time. Kelcy Perry finished fourth and Abby Myers finished sixth in the event posting times of 56.94 and 57.46 respectively.
In the diving competitions, John Fox stood out leading himself to a 333.45 score and placing second overall in the 1-meter diving competition. Christa Cabot also shined today for Kentucky posting scores of 265.40 and 260.25 in the one and 3-meter diving competitions.
Kentucky will travel to Nashville, Tenn., next weekend to take in Vanderbilt and Western Kentucky in another double-dual meet. The meet on Saturday will start at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Check out UKathletics.com for complete up-to-date information on the UK swimming and diving teams.
