UT's Storvik is keeping busy at Southern Zone

You can call the University of Tennessee's Anders Storvik the Iron Man. Of the 17 men's events in the Southern Zone Eastern Sectional Championships at the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center, Storvik will swim in 10 of them.

Counting preliminary trials and event finals, that means Storvik will be racing some of the best swimmers in the South 18 times over just four days.

"We only have about two months in the summer to compete and train," Storvik said. "I'm trying to get as much time in the pool as possible."

Storvik spent plenty of time in the pool Friday, picking up a bronze in the men's 200-meter freestyle (1 minute, 53.23 seconds), a silver in the 100 backstroke (29.30) and another bronze as part of the Tennessee Aquatics four-man 400 relay (3:30.00) along with UT's Patrick Beasley and teammates Norman Mason and Forrest Leary.

The relay was the final race of the day. Storvik, after already competing in five races, still managed a 51.30 in his leg, faster than any member of the winning team from Carolina Aquatics.

Storvik is sporting a different look here, including a short beard. Having already qualified for six events at the U.S. Open on Aug. 4, the 19-year-old rising sophomore is using the event to get in the best shape possible.

"I'm giving it all I have now," Storvik said. "Feeling the pain right now will help me in the future. It helps you push yourself more in those races."

He is looking forward to the reward his Tennessee Aquatics coaches have planned for him when it's over.

"My coaches are letting me sleep in Monday morning," Storvik said, smiling. "I'll be right back into it Monday afternoon trying to get stronger."

Notebook: Pilot Aquatic Club's Jace Howanitz finished seventh in the women's 200 free (2:07.69) with teammate Jenny Darby eighth (2:09.45). PACK's Chris Kelly was sixth in the men's 200 free (1:55.66) and eighth in the 100 back (59.72). PACK's Kennedy Higdon was seventh in the women's 400 individual medley (5:03.72). Tennessee Aquatics' Patrick Beasley finished seventh in the men's 400 IM (4:42.13). PACK's team of Jenny Darby, Ally Hardesty, Madison Thomas and Summer Stephens finished fifth in the women's 400 relay (3:59.82). PACK's Mike Zaczyk, Cliff Robins, Alex Ward and Chris Kelly were seventh in the men's 400 relay (3:35.45).