Swimming and Diving Take on Kentucky at Home Saturday
1/13/2012 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Jan. 13, 2012
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama swimming and diving teams open the New Year with Southeastern Conference rival Kentucky on Saturday at 12 p.m. in the Alabama Aquatic Center after a pair of training camps, one in Boca Raton, Fla., before Christmas, and one after in Tuscaloosa.
"We're ready to get back to competition," UA head coach Eric McIlquham said. "I think everyone is looking forward to stepping up and seeing where we are right now as we get ready for the stretch run to the championship season."
Alabama split with the Wildcats last season, with the men coming away with the win while the Tide women brought it down to the last relay before falling by just four points.
"Over the years this has become a great rivalry," McIlquham said. "It always seems to come down to the end, down to the last relay."
Kentucky's men are led by senior Tyler Reed who is ranked the SEC's top 20 in 50, 100 and 200 freestyles. The Wildcat women are led by freshman Christina Bechtel, who is ranked in the SEC top 10 in the 100 and 200 butterfly.
The Tide's men are led in the freestyle events by sophomore BJ Hornikel, who has yet to lose a 100 freestyle race in dual meet competition during his career. Sophomore Alex Coci and junior Anestis Arampatzis are the league's top-ranked butterflyers. Coci is also among the SEC's best in the 200 IM and 100 backstroke.
Freshman Kaylin Burchell and sophomore Alexa Popa lead the way for the Alabama women in the breaststroke events, figuring among the SEC's best in those events. Sophomores Lauren Piper and Kristel Vourna rank among the league's best in the backstroke and butterfly events respectively.
Alabama fans will be able to earn a point on their Crimson Tide Rewards card at the meet. The Rewards Program, presented by Tuscaloosa Toyota, allows fans to earn prizes the more UA home events they attend. For more information on the Rewards program, go to www.crimsonrewards.com.
Players Mentioned
