The Kentucky women’s swimming and diving team kicked off the 2023 NCAA Championships with a solid showing on Wednesday evening at the Allan Jones Aquatic Center. The Wildcats finished in 15th place with a total of 14 points, thanks in part to a tenth-place finish in the 800 freestyle relay.
Fifth-year Izzy Gati led off the relay with a blistering time of 1:44.04, a career-best 200 split and the third-fastest 200 freestyle swim in program history. She was followed by Kaitlynn Wheeler (1:44.70), Grace Frericks (1:45.28), and Beth McNeese (1:46.17) for a total time of 7:00.19, more than three seconds below the team’s entry time of 7:03.24.
In the evening’s only other event, the Wildcats finished in 22nd place in the 200 MR with a time of 1:37.55. Caitlin Brooks (24.51), Denise Phelan (26.83), Lydia Hanlon (23.91), and Katelyn Wheeler (22.30) combined on the swim for UK.
Kentucky returns for day two of action on Thursday, with the Wildcats set to compete in the 500 freestyle, 200 IM, and one-meter diving. Prelims will begin at 10 a.m. followed by finals at 6 p.m. Fans can catch live coverage of the meet on ESPN+, with live results available on the Meet Mobile app.
The Wildcats are looking to build on their strong start as they continue to compete in the NCAA Championships. With a talented roster of swimmers and divers, Kentucky is poised to make a strong showing at the competition. Fans can tune in to see the action unfold and cheer on the Wildcats as they compete against some of the best swimmers and divers in the country.
Overall, the first night of competition at the NCAA Championships was a success for Kentucky, with the Wildcats demonstrating their strength and determination in the pool. As the competition continues, fans can expect to see more impressive performances from this talented team.