University of Kentucky swimmer Kaylee Williams has been named the Southeastern Conference Female Freshman of the Week, it was announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon. The newcomer from Howell, Michigan, shined in her collegiate debut last Friday, helping the Kentucky women’s swimming and diving team to a dominating finish over Vanderbilt.
In the first dual meet of her career, Williams earned first place in the 1,000 freestyle with a top time of 10:13.91. In the process, she defeated five swimmers – three Kentucky swimmers and two Vanderbilt swimmers – earning a time that was more than six seconds faster than second place. Williams was the solo female rookie to earn an outright first-place finish during the contest, while recording the current fifth-best time in the nation.
“Kaylee is doing a great job,” said head coach Lars Jorgensen. “She is starting off her freshman year on a great note, and we hope she will continue to build on her success throughout the season.”
During the season opener, Williams also swam exhibition in the 200 butterfly (2:08.56), the 200 freestyle (1:54.66), the 500 freestyle (5:00.34) and the 400 freestyle relay (3:35.11, 56.01 anchor split).
The newcomer is a middle distance and distance freestyle swimmer who was pegged the No. 7 recruit out of Michigan. Before her collegiate career began, she boasted numerous top-10 finishes, including earning fourth place in the 1,650 freestyle and seventh place in the 500 freestyle at Winter Juniors East. In addition, she finished sixth place in the 400 freestyle and ninth place in the 200 freestyle at the NCSA Championships.
In the program’s next appearance, both the men’s and the women’s Kentucky swimming and diving teams are scheduled to host Tennessee on October 29 and October 30 at 4 p.m. ET inside the Lancaster Aquatic Center.
For the latest on the Kentucky swimming and diving program, follow @UKSwimDive on Twitter and on Instagram, on Facebook and on the web at UKathletics.com.
– GO CATS –
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Cami Moore
