Tennessee brings home victory against UNC Wilmington in season opener

On Sept. 27, the Tennessee Volunteer swimming and diving team traveled for their annual meet against UNC Wilmington at the Seahawk Natatorium. This was Tennessee’s first regular season meet, as the Vols have already held the Orange and White intrasquad meet.

The Vols came through with a 205-88 victory with the men winning 13 out of 16 events. Senior Alec Connolly contributed to two of the Vols’ victories in the 200 free and the 200 IM swimming a 1.41.78 and a 1.53.99.

The women, however, proved that their practice paid off with two of the Lady Vols setting new pool records in the 200 breaststroke and 100 fly. Tess Cieplucha swam a 2.12.61 making it her personal best while Mallory Beil swam a 54.80 in the 100 butterfly.

This was the teams’ freshmen first regular season meet as new collegiate athletes, and they were sure to showcase their talents. The Vols added 15 freshmen to the team, including seven men and eight women, with the addition of three transfers – diver Grace Cable and swimmers Kaitlin Harty and Kendall Shields.

The newcomer Harty finished in first place in the 200-yard medley relay completing a 50-yard backstroke with the time of 27.64, fourth place in the 200-yard freestyle and eighth place in the 100-yard freestyle with her personal best time of 56.17.

Diver Grace Cable won both the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard events with the scores of 276.80 and 343.50. Cable’s 3-meter score left her in fifth place overall in program history.

”For Grace in her debut to be able to step up in an adverse environment, it was loud in there, she really stepped up in her first competition for the University of Tennessee and that was really pleasing to see,” Dave Parrington, UT diving coach, said.

The Vols will continue on the road next week for a dual meet against South Carolina on Oct. 11 for an SEC showdown.

Edited by Christian Knox and Ainsley Kelso

Featured photo courtesy of Tennessee Swim and Dive twitter (@Vol_Swim)