Gators Open Day One with Seventh-Straight 800 Free Relay Title

Tuesday, February 19

Athens, GA

All Day

Florida Gators

SEC Championships

Maxime Rooney celebrates after UF's come-from-behind victory in 800 Free Relay

Gators Open Day One with Seventh-Straight 800 Free Relay Title

Tuesday, February 19, 2019 | Men's Swimming & Diving

By: Chad Smith

Results

ATHENS, Ga. – The University of Florida men's swimming & diving team opened the 2019 SEC Championships with a bang on Tuesday at the Gabrielsen Natatorium. The 800 Free Relay team picked up the first SEC championship for the Gators as they are currently sixth.

For the seventh-straight time Florida won the SEC title in the 800 Free Relay. In a come-from-behind thriller, the squad of Trey Freeman, Khader Baqlah, Kieran Smith, and Maxime Rooney posted an SEC-record time of 6:10.50 to win the 800 Free Relay, which is the fourth-fastest mark in UF history.

In the 200 Medley Relay, the team of Kacper Stokowski, Marco Guarente, Rooney, and Will Davis brought home a third-place finish. The team posted the fourth-best time in program history with a mark of 1:23.25.

In the 1-meter prelims, Nick Lydon led the Gators with a combined effort of 269.55 and placed 22nd. Alex Farrow finished closely behind in 23rd with a total of 263.70. Lyle Hayes-Macaluso finished in 29th with a score of 233.70.

Day two begins with the 500 Free prelims at 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday.

Team Standings
1. Tennessee – 187
2. Texas A&M – 158
3. Missouri – 146
4. Kentucky – 142
5. Alabama – 135
6. Florida – 123
7. Auburn – 121
8. South Carolina – 117
9. LSU – 115
10. Georgia – 94

2019 Swim & Dive Championship Schedule

Date	Time (ET)	Event
Wed., Feb. 20	10:00 a.m.	Swimming Prelims 500 Free, 200 IM, 50 Free
	12:30 p.m.	Women's 1-meter Prelims
	6:00 p.m.	Swimming & Diving Finals (M&W) 500 Free, 200 IM, 50 Free, Women's 1-meter, 200 Free Relay
Thurs., Feb. 21	10:00 a.m.	Swimming Prelims (M&W) 400 IM, 100 Fly, 200 Free
	12:30 p.m.	Men's 3-meter Prelims
	6:00 p.m.	Swimming & Diving Finals (M&W) 400 IM, 100 Fly, 200 Free, Men's 3-meter
Fri., Feb. 22	10:00 a.m.	Swimming Prelims (M&W) 200 Fly, 100 Back, 100 Breast
	12:30 p.m.	Women's Platform Prelims
	6:00 p.m.	Swimming & Diving Finals (M&W) 200 Fly, 100 Back, 100 Breast, Women's Platform, 400 Medley Relay
Sat., Feb 23	10:00 a.m.	Swimming Prelims (M&W) 200 Back, 100 Free, 200 Breast
	12:30 p.m.	Men's Platform Prelims
	TBD	Swim 1650 Free Prelims
	6:00 p.m.	Swimming & Diving Finals (M&W) 1650 Free, 200 Back, 100 Free, 200 Breast, Men's Platform, 400 Free Relay