2023 SEC Championships, Day 5 Prelims: Rhyan White Misses A Final in 200 Back
It took until the ninth session of the 2023 SEC Championships for prelims to deliver a bona fide shock. Rhyan White, the three-time reigning champion in the 200 backstroke, won’t make it a fourth straight crown.
The Alabama senior finished 12th in morning prelims, missing out on the A final despite entering with the second-fastest seed time, the conference record and the SEC Championships record. White went 1:54.52, three seconds slower than her season-best time. She missed the final spot in the A final by eight tenths.
Friday night, White had become the first woman ever to win the 100 backstroke in four consecutive seasons. She was looking to join Elizabeth Beisel (2011-14) as the only woman to claim four straight titles in the 200 back.
On the team front, matters are mostly settled for the team title. Florida is in position to end a 13-year drought by winning its first title since 2009. The Gators have 962 points, well clear of Tennessee’s 709.5 and the 698 of Kentucky. Florida leads all schools with 17 women’s titles.
The men’s team race is in hand as well, with Florida vying for its 11th straight title and 44th overall. The Gators have 1,056.5 points to Auburn’s 774.5 and Texas A&M’s 765. The only question is if they can exceed the highest ever point total in the meet, at 1,440 from their 2014 victory. With men’s platform diving, the 400 free relay and the 1,650 at night, they have a chance.
All the morning action:
2023 SEC Championships Links
- SEC Championships Central
- SEC Championships Psych Sheet
- Live Results
- Live Stream
- SEC Swimming News
- Night 1 Results
- Night 2 Results
- Night 3 Results
- Night 4 Results
- SEC Championships, Night 1: Tennessee Men Set SEC Record; Maggie MacNeil Splits Best-Ever 22.52
- SEC Championships Prelims Day 2: Josh Liendo, Jordan Crooks Bring Heat in 50
- 2023 SEC Championships, Night 2: Maggie MacNeil 20.44 Leads LSU to 200 FR win
- 2023 SEC Championships, Day 3 Prelims: Jordan Crooks, Maggie MacNeil Flying Again
- 2023 SEC Championships, Night 3: Baylor Nelson Finishes IM Double
- SEC Championships, Day 4 Prelims: Adam Chaney Leads 100 Back with 44.64
2023 SEC Championships Team Scores
Women - Team Rankings - Through Event 30 1. University of Florida 962 2. University of Tennessee 709.5 3. Kentucky, University of 698 4. Louisiana State University 624 5. Georgia, University of 577.5 6. University of Alabama 560 7. Auburn University 499 8. South Carolina, University of, 489 9. Texas A&M University 470 10. University of Arkansas 415 11. Missouri 312 12. Vanderbilt University 135
Men - Team Rankings - Through Event 31 1. University of Florida 1056.5 2. Auburn University 774.5 3. Texas A&M University 765 4. University of Tennessee 727.5 5. Georgia, University of 584.5 6. Missouri 517.5 7. University of Alabama 464 8. Kentucky, University of 369 9. South Carolina, University of, 366.5 10. Louisiana State University 240
Women’s 200 backstroke
Auburn senior Daisy Platts set the pace in the 200 back with a time of 1:51.63. It’s the quickest in the field by more than a half second, with Kentucky’s Lydia Hanlon second. The Wildcats have three A finalists as they hope to close the gap to second place on Tennessee.
Third is Ella Varga of LSU, as the Tigers continue a tremendous meet. Josephine Fuller of Tennessee is the fourth seed in 1:52.54; she entered with the fastest time of the season in 1:50.12. Florida jammed two swimmers into the A final, including Emma Weyant in eighth.
Event 34 Women 200 Yard Backstroke
==================================================================
NCAA: N 1:47.24 3/23/2019 Beata Nelson, Wisconsin
SEC: S 1:48.06 2/22/2020 Rhyan White, Alabama
SEC Meet: M 1:48.06 2/19/2022 Rhyan White, Alabama
POOL: P 1:49.11 3/21/2009 Gemma Spofforth, UF
1:50.50 A
1:57.07 B
Name Year School Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Platts, Daisy SR Auburn-SE 1:54.51 1:51.63 qB
r:+0.95 26.25 54.76 (28.51)
1:23.49 (28.73) 1:51.63 (28.14)
2 Hanlon, Lydia FR Kentucky 1:52.16 1:52.22 qB
r:+0.63 26.73 55.47 (28.74)
1:23.78 (28.31) 1:52.22 (28.44)
3 Varga, Ella R LSU-LA 1:56.68 1:52.39 qB
r:+0.72 26.51 54.94 (28.43)
1:23.84 (28.90) 1:52.39 (28.55)
4 Fuller, Josephi SO Tennessee-SE 1:50.12 1:52.54 qB
r:+0.67 26.28 54.66 (28.38)
1:23.81 (29.15) 1:52.54 (28.73)
5 Frericks, Grace FR Kentucky NT 1:52.78 qB
r:+0.78 25.90 54.22 (28.32)
1:23.53 (29.31) 1:52.78 (29.25)
6 Brooks, Caitlin SR Kentucky 1:53.36 1:52.84 qB
r:+0.66 26.59 54.68 (28.09)
1:23.40 (28.72) 1:52.84 (29.44)
7 Zavaros, Mabel JR Florida-FL 1:54.27 1:53.14 qB
r:+0.57 26.98 55.54 (28.56)
1:24.47 (28.93) 1:53.14 (28.67)
8 Weyant, Emma J SO Florida-FL 1:56.85 1:53.72 qB
r:+0.87 27.03 55.46 (28.43)
1:24.42 (28.96) 1:53.72 (29.30)
Men’s 200 backstroke
With some of the sprinters that excelled in the 100 back eschewing the longer race, Bradley Dunham jumped from the sixth seed to post the top time of prelims in 1:38.90. The Georgia senior had been fourth in the 100 back.
Jack Dahlgren of Missouri is second in 1:40.09, while Texas A&M’s Baylor Nelson is looking for his third title of the week, as the third seed in 1:40.15. Nelson swept the IMs. He’ll be joined by teammate Ethan Gogulski, the seventh seed in 1:40.81.
Both of Auburn’s Stoffle brothers – Nathaniel Stoffle in fourth in 1:40.35; Aidan Stoffle in sixth in 1:40.72 – are into the A final. The top seed entering the meet, Georgia’s Ian Grum, went 1:40.56 to be the fifth seed. Tennessee’s Nick Simons rounds out the A final with a time of 1:40.99.
Women’s 100 freestyle
Maggie MacNeil leads the way in the sprint, with a top time of 47.46 in prelims. She was just .01 up on Alabama’s Kalia Antoniou, who is having an excellent meet. Texas A&Ms Chloe Stepanek is the third seed.
In a preview of the 400 free relay, Florida pushed four swimmers into the A final, gleaning the last four spots. Micayla Cronk led the way in 48.36. Brooklyn Douthwright is also looking for her second title at the 2023 SEC Championships, the 200 free champ drawing the fourth seed in 48.08.
Event 36 Women 100 Yard Freestyle
==================================================================
NCAA: N 45.56 3/18/2017 Simone Manuel, Stanford
SEC: S 45.83 2/22/2020 Erika Brown, Tennessee
SEC Meet: M 45.83 2/22/2020 Erika Brown, Tennessee
POOL: P 46.62 11/20/2014Simone Manuel, STAN
47.18 A
49.44 B
Name Year School Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 MacNeil, Maggie GR LSU-LA 47.43 47.46 qB
r:+0.70 11.00 22.91 (11.91)
35.41 (12.50) 47.46 (12.05)
2 Antoniou, Kalia SR Alabama-SE 48.01 47.47 qB
r:+0.68 10.92 22.79 (11.87)
35.16 (12.37) 47.47 (12.31)
3 Stepanek, Chloe Texas A&M-GU 47.94 47.96 qB
r:+0.69 11.11 23.05 (11.94)
35.61 (12.56) 47.96 (12.35)
4 Douthwright, Br Tennessee-SE 49.29 48.08 qB
r:+0.63 11.27 23.25 (11.98)
35.79 (12.54) 48.08 (12.29)
5 Cronk, Micayla SO Florida-FL 48.28 48.36 qB
r:+0.63 11.06 23.14 (12.08)
35.81 (12.67) 48.36 (12.55)
6 Nikonova, Ekate SO Florida-FL 48.56 48.38 qB
r:+0.67 10.99 23.29 (12.30)
35.96 (12.67) 48.38 (12.42)
7 Bates, Talia B SR Florida-FL 47.75 48.53 qB
r:+0.69 10.96 23.07 (12.11)
35.76 (12.69) 48.53 (12.77)
7 Mack, Katie G SR Florida-FL 48.60 48.53 qB
r:+0.65 10.96 23.17 (12.21)
35.78 (12.61) 48.53 (12.75)
Men’s 100 freestyle
It’s Josh Liendo vs. Jordan Crooks, part three. (Or, if you factor in relays, part six of seven).
Liendo got the better of the prelims installment, going 41.22 to Crooks’ 41.44. Both are A cuts, a new one for Liendo. Crooks has been 41.17 this season.
In what is likely a preview of the 400 free relay, Tennessee and Florida monopolized the top five spots. UT’s Gui Caribe is third, with Florida’s Julian Smith and Macguire McDuff fourth and fifth, respectively. Brooks Curry of LSU is the only block to a UT/Florida sweep of the top seven.
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 40.87 2/18/2018 Caeleb Dressel, Florida
POOL: P 40.87 2/18/2018 Caeleb Dressel, Florida-FL
41.64 A
43.59 B
Name Year School Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Liendo, Josh FR Florida-FL 41.70 41.22 qA
r:+0.61 9.31 19.60 (10.29)
30.50 (10.90) 41.22 (10.72)
2 Crooks, Jordan SO Tennessee-SE 41.17 41.44 qA
r:+0.63 9.35 19.79 (10.44)
30.78 (10.99) 41.44 (10.66)
3 Santos, Guilher Tennessee-SE 41.44 41.59 qA
r:+0.60 9.21 19.64 (10.43)
30.70 (11.06) 41.59 (10.89)
4 Smith, Julian SO Florida-FL 42.08 41.98 qB
r:+0.64 9.69 20.12 (10.43)
31.20 (11.08) 41.98 (10.78)
5 McDuff, Macguir SO Florida-FL 41.95 42.03 qB
r:+0.64 9.52 20.24 (10.72)
31.32 (11.08) 42.03 (10.71)
6 Curry, Brooks V SR LSU-LA 41.86 42.20 qB
r:+0.61 9.40 19.87 (10.47)
31.17 (11.30) 42.20 (11.03)
7 Chaney, Adam C SO Florida-FL 43.07 42.26 qB
r:+0.62 9.56 20.22 (10.66)
31.41 (11.19) 42.26 (10.85)
7 Berg, Max JR Kentucky 43.20 42.26 qB
r:+0.59 9.35 20.01 (10.66)
30.98 (10.97) 42.26 (11.28)
Women’s 200 breaststroke
After consecutive 100 breast titles, Tennessee’s Mona McSharry is looking to add the 200 breast to her CV. She’s in good position to do that, having gone 2:06.28 to set the top seed in prelims by 1.49 seconds.
The top three seeds are familiar, as the podium trio each of the last two years in the 100. Alabama’s Avery Wiseman is the second seed in 2:07.77; the Alabama sophomore entered with the top regular season time of 2:06.49. Third is Zoie Hartman, the Georgia senior and 100 breast runner-up, just .01 back of Wiseman. Hartman has been first or second in her previous 11 SEC Championships individual events. Last year’s champ, Gillian Davey of Kentucky, was fifth, a spot ahead of teammate Bridget Engel.
Event 38 Women 200 Yard Breaststroke
==================================================================
NCAA: N 2:01.43 2/4/2023 Kate Douglass, Virginia
SEC: S 2:03.26 3/17/2018 Bethany Galat, Texas A&M
SEC Meet: M 2:04.62 2/18/2018 Sydney Pickrem, Texas A&M
POOL: P 2:04.62 2/18/2018 Sydney Pickrem, Texas A&M
2:06.18 A
2:13.89 B
Name Year School Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 McSharry, Mona JR Tennessee-SE 2:08.91 2:06.28 qB
r:+0.70 28.64 1:00.05 (31.41)
1:32.30 (32.25) 2:06.28 (33.98)
2 Wiseman, Avery SO Alabama-SE 2:06.49 2:07.77 qB
r:+0.71 28.73 1:01.07 (32.34)
1:33.60 (32.53) 2:07.77 (34.17)
3 Hartman, Zoie E SR Georgia 2:06.97 2:07.78 qB
r:+0.73 29.13 1:01.50 (32.37)
1:34.38 (32.88) 2:07.78 (33.40)
4 Wright, Cat G SR Alabama-SE 2:09.63 2:08.10 qB
r:+0.65 29.56 1:02.03 (32.47)
1:34.71 (32.68) 2:08.10 (33.39)
5 Davey, Gillian SR Kentucky 2:09.05 2:08.64 qB
r:+0.71 29.69 1:02.77 (33.08)
1:35.80 (33.03) 2:08.64 (32.84)
6 Engel, Bridget JR Kentucky 2:09.37 2:09.17 qB
r:+0.63 28.70 1:01.64 (32.94)
1:34.90 (33.26) 2:09.17 (34.27)
7 Ferraguti, Ales SR Arkansas-AR 2:11.01 2:09.51 qB
r:+0.66 28.52 1:01.37 (32.85)
1:34.99 (33.62) 2:09.51 (34.52)
8 Fisher, Jocelyn SR Alabama-SE 2:10.12 2:09.98 qB
r:+0.68 29.26 1:02.20 (32.94)
1:35.66 (33.46) 2:09.98 (34.32)
Men’s 200 breaststroke
Florida continues to be on fire. After going 1-2 in the 100 breast, they’re in position to do the same in the 200, which could turn into an all-Gator battle. Dillon Hillis set the pace in the morning in 1:51.53, downing the meet record held since 2015 by Nic Fink of Georgia at 1:51.58. Aleksas Savickas was .01 behind the standard and .06 in arrears of his teammate.
That makes four swimmers with 1:51s to their name this year in the final. Andres Puente Bustamante of Texas A&M, who has an A cut of 1:51.14, is the third seed in finals at 1:53.30. The top seed entering the meet, his teammate Alex Sanchez, is the seventh seed after a 1:53.91. Sanchez has been 1:51.09 this year.
Outside of that quartet, Auburn’s Reid Mikuta is the fifth seed in finals in 1:53.54. he was a tenth of a second behind Tennessee’s Lyubomir Epitropov.
Event 39 Men 200 Yard Breaststroke
==================================================================
NCAA: N 1:47.91 3/25/2017 Will Licon, Texas
SEC: S 1:50.80 3/28/2015 Nic Fink, Georgia
SEC Meet: M 1:51.58 2/21/2015 Nic Fink, Georgia
POOL: P 1:51.09 11/18/2022Alex Sanchez, Texas A&M
1:51.54 A
1:57.95 B
Name Year School Seed Prelims
==================================================================
=== Preliminaries ===
1 Hillis, Dillon 5Y Florida-FL 1:56.86 1:51.53MqA
r:+0.65 25.12 53.62 (28.50)
1:22.20 (28.58) 1:51.53 (29.33)
2 Savickas, Aleks FR Florida-FL 1:51.29 1:51.59 qB
r:+0.68 25.26 53.48 (28.22)
1:22.53 (29.05) 1:51.59 (29.06)
3 Puente, Andres Texas A&M-GU 1:51.14 1:53.30 qB
r:+0.65 25.53 54.23 (28.70)
1:23.67 (29.44) 1:53.30 (29.63)
4 Epitropov, Lyub 5Y Tennessee-SE 1:53.18 1:53.41 qB
r:+0.65 25.84 54.77 (28.93)
1:23.75 (28.98) 1:53.41 (29.66)
5 Mikuta, Reid R JR Auburn-SE 1:52.80 1:53.54 qB
r:+0.63 25.49 54.26 (28.77)
1:23.41 (29.15) 1:53.54 (30.13)
6 Maas, Derek E SR Alabama-SE 1:54.70 1:53.66 qB
r:+0.66 25.60 54.83 (29.23)
1:24.17 (29.34) 1:53.66 (29.49)
7 Sanchez, Alex R Texas A&M-GU 1:51.09 1:53.91 qB
r:+0.65 25.74 54.41 (28.67)
1:24.04 (29.63) 1:53.91 (29.87)
8 Patton, Ben H SR Missouri-MV 1:57.41 1:54.54 qB
r:+0.62 25.74 54.53 (28.79)
1:23.87 (29.34) 1:54.54 (30.67)
