Two Alabama Swimmers Ranked No. 1 Nationally; Crimson Tide Men’s and Women’s Teams Ranked in the Top-20 in Preseason Poll
10/11/2019 4:44:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
The Alabama women are 17th and the men are 20th in the TYR Preseason Coaches Poll
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – A pair of Alabama swimmers are ranked No. 1 in the nation in their respective specialties, while the Crimson Tide women are 17th and the men are 20th in the TYR Preseason Coaches Poll.
In all, six UA swimmers ranked in the top-10 nationally in 11 different individual races, while the Tide is also ranked in the top-10 in four relays. Alabama's women have taken part in three meets and the men in two to this point in the season, all on the road.
Sophomore Kensey McMahon is No. 1 in the nation in the 1,000 freestyle, with a time that puts her nearly 10 seconds ahead of her closest competitor. She is also tied for second in the 500 freestyle, and her versatility is on display with a 10th-place ranking in the 400 individual medley.
Fellow sophomore Rhyan White currently holds two top-five rankings in the backstroke events. White is third nationally in the 200 and fifth in the 100, with both times coming in at less than a second off the national lead. Senior Alexis Preski also adds a pair of top-10 rankings, joining McMahon in the top 10 for the 400 IM at sixth and standing in eighth in the 200 butterfly.
On the men's side, World, NCAA and SEC champion Zane Waddell has gotten his senior season off to a strong start, currently leading the nation in the 50 backstroke, while also ranks sixth in the 100 backstroke.
Freshman Liam Bell got his rookie season off to a fast start, currently ranked fourth nationally in the 100 breaststroke, while junior Tyler Sesvold checks in at No. 10 in the 100 butterfly.
The Crimson Tide's relay squads are also off to a dynamic start, with the women's 400 freestyle relay team of sophomore Kalia Antoniou, senior Allie Surrency, junior Flora Molnar and sophomore Morgan Scott posting the nation's top time in the race. The Alabama women are also sixth in the 200 medley relay, with White, Preski, Antoniou and junior Sezin Eligul combining for another top-10 ranking.
The Crimson Tide men are currently ranked in top-10 in two relays, with junior Sam DiSette joining Waddell, Sesvold and Bell to rank fifth in the 200 medley relay, while sophomore Jonathan Berneburg, Sesvold, DiSette and Waddell currently stand seventh in the 400 freestyle relay.
The Alabama swimming and diving teams will return to competition Nov. 22-24 at the Georgia Tech Invitational before an SEC clash at Auburn on Thursday, Dec. 5th.
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