SEC Championships, Day 6 Prelims: Tennessee’s Camille Spink Chasing Free Triple
Among all the records and near-records at the SEC Championships this week, the women’s competition has flown somewhat under the radar. Absent a title race, with Texas dominating, the intrigue has been subdued to a degree.
But in among that, Camille Spink has a chance to do something special by taking home the 50-100-200 triple. Spink, who won the 50 and 100 as a freshman last year, is in position after setting the top time in the 100 in qualification. She’s already got the first two legs of the treble done, and she’s coming off a quiet Friday in which she only had to anchor the 400 medley relay, splitting 46.32 for the runner-up Vols.
The action from Saturday’s session at the University of Georgia’s Bauerle Pool at Gabrielsen Natatorium.
The final session of SECs Saturday night will include the men’s and women’s 1,650 free, men’s platform diving finals and conclude with the 400 freestyle relays.
Heading into the final day of competition, Texas is in the lead of both the men’s and women’s team races. The Texas men are up 130 points on Florida. The Texas women are more than 300 points up on Tennessee, but just 20 points separate the Lady Volunteers and Florida for second.
Women - Team Rankings - Through Event 30 1. University of Texas 1157.5 2. University of Tennessee 854 3. University of Florida 834 4. Georgia, University of 538.5 5. Texas A&M University 503 6. South Carolina, University of, 494 7. Louisiana State University 470 8. University of Alabama 459 9. Auburn University 407.5 10. Missouri 288.5 11. Kentucky, University of 249 12. University of Arkansas 210 13. Vanderbilt University 135
Men - Team Rankings - Through Event 31 1. University of Texas 1091 2. University of Florida 929 3. University of Tennessee 713.5 4. Georgia, University of 642.5 5. Texas A&M University 503 6. Auburn University 427.5 7. University of Alabama 425 8. Louisiana State University 413 9. Kentucky, University of 320.5 10. Missouri 251 11. South Carolina, University of, 250
Women’s 200 backstroke
The Bella Sims wheel of events has landed on the 200 back, and she’s the top seed in finals with a time of 1:49.99 from the morning prelims. She has been 1:49.43 in season. That’s two seconds faster than anyone else in the field, even after the morning swims.
Tennessee’s Josephine Fuller was second in 1:51.46. The team race is worth tracking here: While Texas’s maiden title is done and dusted, Tennessee enters the final day 20 points up on Florida in the race for second place. Fuller is second with teammates Sophie Brinson fourth and Regan Rathwell sixth. Florida sits Catie Choate third and Jo Jo Ramey fifth, plus the Gators have a pair of B finalists.
Event 34 Women 200 Yard Backstroke
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NCAA: N 1:46.87 11/22/2024Claire Curzan, Virginia
SEC: S 1:48.06 2/22/2020 Ryan White, Alabama
SEC Meet: M 1:48.06 2020 Rhyan White, Alabama
Pool: P 1:48.23 3/23/2024 Phoebe Bacon, Wisconsin
1:50.50 A
1:56.71 B
Name Year School Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Sims, Bella G SO FLOR-FL 1:49.43 1:49.99 qA
r:+0.75 25.10 52.31 (27.21)
1:21.10 (28.79) 1:49.99 (28.89)
2 Fuller, Josephi Tennessee-SE 1:51.88 1:51.46 qB
r:+0.80 26.09 54.01 (27.92)
1:22.58 (28.57) 1:51.46 (28.88)
3 Choate, Catie G SO FLOR-FL 1:52.05 1:51.78 qB
r:+0.75 25.71 53.78 (28.07)
1:22.67 (28.89) 1:51.78 (29.11)
4 Brison, Sophie Tennessee-SE 1:53.20 1:52.06 qB
r:+0.81 26.34 54.13 (27.79)
1:23.12 (28.99) 1:52.06 (28.94)
5 Ramey, Jo Jo M SO FLOR-FL 1:53.10 1:52.33 qB
r:+0.73 26.49 54.88 (28.39)
1:23.58 (28.70) 1:52.33 (28.75)
6 Rathwell, Regan Tennessee-SE 1:54.70 1:52.42 qB
r:+0.74 26.43 54.90 (28.47)
1:24.06 (29.16) 1:52.42 (28.36)
7 Nesty, Lillian FR Texas 1:52.99 1:52.92 qB
r:+0.70 26.59 54.64 (28.05)
1:23.61 (28.97) 1:52.92 (29.31)
8 Frericks, Grace JR Kentucky-KY 1:54.26 1:52.99 qB
r:+0.68 26.67 55.11 (28.44)
1:23.59 (28.48) 1:52.99 (29.40)
Men’s 200 backstroke
Johnny Marshall is bidding for the second backstroke double of his career, and the Florida sophomore started that quest with a pool record of 1:37.94, downing Luca Urlando’s mark from earlier this month. Marshall went 1:36.68 last year to win the title.
He’ll have chasers. Hubert Kos, last year’s NCAA runner-up at Arizona State, went 1:38.70. He was the second seed entering the meet. The top seed, Texas’ Will Modglin, is third in the final at 1:39.41. He’s been 1:37.85 this season.
Georgia has a pair of swimmers in the A final, led by Ruard van Renen in fifth. Two swimmers who entered with seed times under 1:40 missed the A final, with Nathaniel Stoffle of Auburn tied for ninth and Kyle Peck of Texas 12th.
Event 35 Men 200 Yard Backstroke
==================================================================
NCAA: N 1:35.37 3/30/2024 Destin Lasco, California
SEC: S 1:35.75 3/27/2021 Shaine Casas, Texas A&M
SEC Meet: M 1:36.68 2024 Johnny Marshall, Florida
Pool: P 1:38.18 2/1/2025 Luca Urlando, Georgia
1:38.80 A
1:44.03 B
Name Year School Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Marshall, Jonny SO FLOR-FL 1:38.46 1:37.94PqA
r:+0.85 21.99 46.21 (24.22)
1:11.66 (25.45) 1:37.94 (26.28)
2 Kos, Hubert JR Texas 1:38.14 1:38.70 qA
r:+0.80 23.54 49.16 (25.62)
1:14.22 (25.06) 1:38.70 (24.48)
3 Modglin, Will C SO Texas 1:37.84 1:39.41 qB
r:+0.77 22.99 48.60 (25.61)
1:14.18 (25.58) 1:39.41 (25.23)
4 Hagar, Tommy E SO Alabama-SE 1:39.88 1:39.77 qB
r:+0.55 23.13 48.41 (25.28)
1:13.69 (25.28) 1:39.77 (26.08)
5 Van Renen, Ruar JR UGA 1:40.37 1:40.13 qB
r:+0.56 23.05 48.31 (25.26)
1:13.93 (25.62) 1:40.13 (26.20)
6 Maldari, Caleb SO FLOR-FL 1:40.82 1:40.60 qB
r:+0.69 23.44 48.49 (25.05)
1:14.56 (26.07) 1:40.60 (26.04)
7 Powe, Sam P JR UGA 1:40.24 1:40.66 qB
r:+0.73 23.38 48.77 (25.39)
1:14.61 (25.84) 1:40.66 (26.05)
8 Curtis, Griffin SR LSU-LA 1:43.35 1:40.69 qB
r:+0.66 23.39 48.88 (25.49)
1:14.64 (25.76) 1:40.69 (26.05)
Women’s 100 freestyle
Camille Spink has a chance to win her fifth individual SEC title in two years and more than that, to secure a runner-up trophy for Tennessee. Spink went 47.03 in the morning, the quickest in the field by seven tenths. She’s bidding to add the 100 free title to the 50 and 200 free. She carried the fastest seed time in the event at 46.61.
Second is teammate Brooklyn Douthwright, who went 47.73. With no Florida in the top 15, it’s a chance for UT to score big.
Texas has the third seed via Erin Gemmell, who went 47.94. A&M’s Chloe Stepanek joined her under 48 in fourth. It was an off morning for the Longhorns, though, with two swimmers entering with 47-second seeds missing out – Ava Longi finished 15th, and Grace Cooper doesn’t get a second swim in 25th. Florida’s 400 medley relay anchor Micayla Cronk also didn’t make it back, going 49.12 for 29th.
Event 36 Women 100 Yard Freestyle
==================================================================
NCAA: N 44.83 3/23/2024 Gretchen Walsh, Virginai
SEC: S 45.83 2/22/2020 Erika Brown, Tennessee
SEC Meet: M 45.83 2020 Erika Brown, Tennessee
Pool: P 44.83 3/23/2024 Gretchen Walsh, Virginia
47.10 A
49.18 B
Name Year School Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Spink, Camille Tennessee-SE 46.61 47.03 qA
r:+0.67 10.48 22.23 (11.75)
34.48 (12.25) 47.03 (12.55)
2 Douthwright, Br Tennessee-SE 49.01 47.73 qB
r:+0.64 11.05 23.06 (12.01)
35.38 (12.32) 47.73 (12.35)
3 Gemmell, Erin M SO Texas 48.01 47.94 qB
r:+0.76 10.97 23.01 (12.04)
35.53 (12.52) 47.94 (12.41)
4 Stepanek, Chloe 5T Texas A&M-GU 48.25 47.98 qB
r:+0.67 10.88 22.81 (11.93)
35.29 (12.48) 47.98 (12.69)
5 Vincent, Cadenc SO Alabama-SE 48.10 48.05 qB
r:+0.68 10.87 22.80 (11.93)
35.24 (12.44) 48.05 (12.81)
6 Zallen, Zara A SO Missouri-MV 48.58 48.14 qB
r:+0.66 10.94 23.09 (12.15)
35.64 (12.55) 48.14 (12.50)
7 Scott, Jada A SO Alabama-SE 49.20 48.19 qB
r:+0.69 10.92 23.24 (12.32)
35.69 (12.45) 48.19 (12.50)
8 Klevanovich, Li GS Auburn-SE 48.60 48.29 qB
r:+0.70 11.33 23.55 (12.22)
36.06 (12.51) 48.29 (12.23)
Men’s 100 freestyle
Get ready for Jordan Crooks v. Josh Liendo, Part a million.
Crook took down Liendo’s meet record from last year by going 40.58 to secure the top seed. The Tennessee senior, who has been 40.26 this year, will be eying a 39 for sure. Liendo is in the mix after a time of 40.83, which is .01 off his time from last year.
Texas’s Chris Guiliano was third in 41.13, .08 up on Gui Caribe of Tennessee. Jere Hribar of LSU is also in the mix in 41.31, as is new American record holder Julian Smith in 41.68. Nikoli Blackman is eight for Tennessee with Lamar Taylor 10th in what may be a mounting assault for the 400 free relay to end the night. Luke Hobson was 13th in a loaded B final that also includes Connor Foote and Charlie Hawke.
Event 37 Men 100 Yard Freestyle
==================================================================
NCAA: N 39.90 3/24/2018 Caeleb Dressel, Florida
SEC: S 39.90 3/24/2018 Caeleb Dressel, Florida
SEC Meet: M 40.82 2024 Josh LIendo, Florida
Pool: P 40.90 11/18/2023Josh Liendo, Florida
41.34 A
43.25 B
Name Year School Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Crooks, Jordan Tennessee-SE 40.26 40.58MqA
r:+0.62 9.09 19.40 (10.31)
30.00 (10.60) 40.58 (10.58)
2 Liendo, Josh JR FLOR-FL 41.99 40.83PqA
r:+0.65 9.21 19.80 (10.59)
30.58 (10.78) 40.83 (10.25)
3 Guiliano, Chris Texas 41.72 41.13 qA
r:+0.66 9.12 19.34 (10.22)
30.00 (10.66) 41.13 (11.13)
4 Caribe, Gui C Tennessee-SE 40.85 41.21 qA
r:+0.58 9.17 19.74 (10.57)
30.38 (10.64) 41.21 (10.83)
5 Hribar, Jere SO LSU-LA 41.95 41.31 qA
r:+0.71 9.29 19.83 (10.54)
30.61 (10.78) 41.31 (10.70)
6 Smith, Julian SR FLOR-FL 41.71 41.68 qB
r:+0.65 9.34 19.91 (10.57)
30.84 (10.93) 41.68 (10.84)
7 Painter, Alex J FR FLOR-FL 42.65 41.81 qB
r:+0.61 9.28 20.08 (10.80)
30.97 (10.89) 41.81 (10.84)
8 Blackman, Nikol Tennessee-SE 42.24 41.87 qB
r:+0.64 9.46 20.00 (10.54)
30.98 (10.98) 41.87 (10.89)
Women’s 200 breaststroke
A night after securing her fourth SEC title in the 100 breaststroke, Mona McSharry is chasing a 200 breast 3-peat. Once again, it looks destined to come down to her and teammate McKenzie Siroky, after they were separated by .01 in both prelims and finals of the 100.
In prelims Saturday, McSharry set the pace in 2:06.98. That was .11 up on Siroky, who has been 2:07.12 this year. McSharry owns the meet record at 2:03.84 from last year but had only been 2:13.26 this season, having skipped the fall semester for a post-Olympics refresher.
Alabama senior Avery Wiseman leads the chasers with a time of 2:07.48. Abigail Arens of Texas was fourth, while Florida hopes to check Tennessee’s momentum in the team race with Molly Mayne in fifth. Florida has four in the B final, though Anita Bottazzo missing the A final is a downer for the Gators.
Event 38 Women 200 Yard Breaststroke
==================================================================
NCAA: N 2:01.29 3/18/2023 Kate Douglass, Virginia
SEC: S 2:03.26 3/17/2018 Bethany Galat, Texas A&M
SEC Meet: M 2:03.84 2024 Mona McSharry, Tennessee
Pool: P 2:02.07 3/23/2024 Alex Walsh, Virginia
2:05.73 A
2:13.28 B
Name Year School Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 McSharry, Mona Tennessee-SE 2:13.26 2:06.98 qB
r:+0.70 28.75 1:00.51 (31.76)
1:33.25 (32.74) 2:06.98 (33.73)
2 Siroky, McKenzi Tennessee-SE 2:07.12 2:07.09 qB
r:+0.66 28.14 1:00.10 (31.96)
1:32.72 (32.62) 2:07.09 (34.37)
3 Wiseman, Avery SR Alabama-SE 2:08.19 2:07.48 qB
r:+0.69 28.72 1:01.19 (32.47)
1:34.27 (33.08) 2:07.48 (33.21)
4 Arens, Abigail GS Texas 2:08.88 2:08.24 qB
r:+0.64 29.05 1:01.31 (32.26)
1:34.67 (33.36) 2:08.24 (33.57)
5 Mayne, Molly SO FLOR-FL 2:09.15 2:08.50 qB
r:+0.66 28.78 1:01.29 (32.51)
1:34.51 (33.22) 2:08.50 (33.99)
6 Engel, Bridget GS Kentucky-KY 2:10.11 2:08.72 qB
r:+0.63 28.53 1:01.31 (32.78)
1:34.89 (33.58) 2:08.72 (33.83)
7 Palmer, Grace FR LSU-LA 2:08.62 2:08.79 qB
r:+0.66 28.97 1:01.24 (32.27)
1:34.36 (33.12) 2:08.79 (34.43)
8 Enge, Piper FR Texas 2:07.90 2:08.91 qB
r:+0.61 28.63 1:01.08 (32.45)
1:34.83 (33.75) 2:08.91 (34.08)
Men’s 200 breaststroke
Nate Germonprez is looking to give Texas a title on Day 6, leading the way in prelims with his time of 1:50.96. That puts him on the pool record board for the time being, downing the time set by Aleksas Savickas of Florida in the fall of 2022. Savickas was also under that time in 1:51.21 for second place Saturday.
It’s a Lonestar kind of final, with three from the Longhorns and three from the Aggies. Will Scholtz is third. Alex Sanchez leads the A&M contingent in fourth. Only Jed Garner of Tennessee breaks the Texas blockade.
Event 39 Men 200 Yard Breaststroke
==================================================================
NCAA: N 1:46.35 3/30/2024 Leon Marchand, Arizona State
SEC: S 1:50.08 2/20/2023 Aleksas Savickas, Florida
SEC Meet: M 1:50.08 2023 Aleksas Savickas, Florida
Pool: P 1:51.29 11/19/2022Aleksas Savickas, Florida
1:50.65 A
1:56.96 B
Name Year School Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Germonprez, Nat SO Texas 1:52.25 1:50.96PqB
r:+0.71 24.33 52.63 (28.30)
1:21.57 (28.94) 1:50.96 (29.39)
2 Savickas, Aleks JR FLOR-FL 1:51.59 1:51.21PqB
r:+0.67 24.71 52.16 (27.45)
1:20.86 (28.70) 1:51.21 (30.35)
3 Scholtz, Will T SO Texas 1:51.66 1:52.08 qB
r:+0.71 24.84 52.99 (28.15)
1:22.19 (29.20) 1:52.08 (29.89)
4 Sanchez, Alex R GS Texas A&M-GU 1:51.87 1:52.81 qB
r:+0.64 26.12 54.10 (27.98)
1:23.55 (29.45) 1:52.81 (29.26)
5 Garner, Jed Tennessee-SE 1:54.98 1:53.23 qB
r:+0.62 25.69 54.56 (28.87)
1:23.87 (29.31) 1:53.23 (29.36)
6 Nelson, Baylor JR Texas A&M-GU 1:53.77 1:53.37 qB
r:+0.66 25.35 53.93 (28.58)
1:23.15 (29.22) 1:53.37 (30.22)
7 Taivassalo, Bra SO Texas 1:52.20 1:53.42 qB
r:+0.65 25.54 53.73 (28.19)
1:22.94 (29.21) 1:53.42 (30.48)
8 Ribeiro, Vincen GS Texas A&M-GU 1:54.61 1:54.12 qB
r:+0.59 25.61 54.23 (28.62)
1:24.10 (29.87) 1:54.12 (30.02)
