Smith anchors 200 to bring Vols closer

University of Tennessee swimmer Giles Smith had a good night in the pool Friday.

The freshman from Baltimore - UT's first black swimmer - anchored the victorious 200-yard medley relay team that had a time of 1 minute, 28.87 seconds and earned a B-cut. His teammates were Ricky Henahan, Mattias Kahlin, and Mike DeRocco.

That event, at the second night of the three-day Tennessee Invitational in the Allen Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center, helped the second-place Vols narrow the gap with Kentucky. The Wildcats maintained their lead with 614 points. UT has 604, while Alabama and Virginia Tech have 555 and 401, respectively.

Smith was the top-ranked freestyle swimmer in the nation coming out of high school. He holds 14 Maryland state records, is the national record-holder in the 50 freestyle, and was five times named All-American. He said he chose Tennessee because of the coaches, mainly assistant coach Joe Hendee.

"The coaches are great," Smith said. "The team is working really hard and every day is a challenge. Tonight was my first B-cut and I feel really good. It was an eye-opening experience."

The men had a number of notable performances. In the 100 backstroke, the Vols took three of the top six spots, including Henahan's win in 49.05. Henahan has the fastest time in the nation this year in 48.06.

DeRocco (47.85) and Smith (48.17) finished second and third, respectively, in the 100 butterfly, both earning a B-cut.

Brad Craig and Kahlin finished third and fourth, respectively, in the 100 breaststroke, each earning a B-cut. Jake Epperson won the 400 individual medley (3:56.90).

Aaron Fleshner of Alabama won the one-meter diving competition with a 376.65 points. UT's Ryan Helms and Jordan Mauney, finished third and fifth, respectively,

The Lady Vols moved from fourth to third, with 543.5 points. Kentucky leads with 547.5. Virginia Tech (548.5) is second. Alabama (507.5) fell to fourth.

The Lady Vols dominated the 100 breaststroke, taking four of the top seven spots.

Jenny Connolly won the 100 backstroke with a season-best 54.40.

Lady Vol Jodie McGroarty took second in 3-meter diving with a season-best 337.9 points Teammate Gabrielle Trudeau finished third with a career-best 318.75. Alabama's Carrie Dragland (339.05) won.

"We were much more focused than yesterday," said Lady Vols coach Matt Kredich. "We need to get ourselves out front. Other teams have speed and we're figuring out how to manage that. Every session has gotten better."

Bill Howard is a freelance contributor.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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