High water mark for men's swim team

The No. 4 Tennessee men's swimming and diving team defeated Georgia on Saturday for the first time in seven years.

However, the significant 169-129 win at Allan Jones Aquatic Center was still almost overshadowed by a loss by the women's team.

The reason was that the Lady Vols came extremely close to upsetting the No. 1-ranked Bulldogs before falling 158-142.

Trailing only 147-136 going into the final race - the 400-yard freestyle relay - the Lady Vols could have clinched a stunning victory with first and second places. And for much of the race, they had a chance, as two UT relay teams and a Georgia team remained basically even.

In the end, however, Georgia won by a half second to clinch the victory.

"We knew we could win this meet," said Lady Vols coach Matt Kredich. "That says a whole lot about the team that we put ourselves in that position."

Added Tennessee senior Brittany Nauta, "I thought it was spectacular."

Veteran Georgia coach Jack Bauerle also was impressed with the Lady Vols' effort.

"We are lucky and happy to get out of here with a win," he said. "That was a very high-level meet. My hat is off to Tennessee."

Helping the Lady Vols come close was junior Jamie Saffer, who set a school record of 59.42 seconds in the 100 breaststroke and also won the 200 breaststroke (2:12.68) and the 200 individual medley (1:59.27).

"She was unbelievable and put us in the position to win," said Kredich.

Saffer, who is from the Atlanta area, felt some motivation going against her home-state school.

"My goal personally was to win or score points," she said. "I wanted to give my all for Tennessee."

Also aiding the Lady Vols' effort were firsts by freshman Jenny Connolly in the 100 backstroke (53.92) and 100 butterfly (53.89), a tie for first by Katie Gehring and Michele King in the 50 freestyle (22.85), and a first by Jodie McGroarty in the 1-meter diving (287.85 points).

Georgia was aided by a first from Bearden High School graduate Annie Broome in the 200 butterfly (2:00.64).

"She did a great job," said Bauerle. "She is a great young lady."

In the men's meet held earlier in the day, Tennessee coach John Trembley said he was very pleased with the performance.

"Tennessee broke a streak and hopefully we are starting the streak over," he said.

Senior Nolan Morrell, who won the 100 backstroke (48.09) and the 200 backstroke (1:45.99), also was feeling quite well after the meet, even though he admittedly had been ill much of last week.

"I didn't want to lose to Georgia all four of my years here," he said.

Fellow senior Jonas Persson also won two events, the 200 freestyle (1:37.92) and the 100 freestyle (43.97).

"I got two wins, so I am happy with that," said Persson.

Trembley also praised the other seniors, including 50 freestyle winner Scott Wherry, 200 individual medley winner Stephen Fortney, Jimmy Dabney, Greg Houchin, Barry Murphy and Andrew Thirlwell.

Ryan Helms won both diving events for the Vols.