Jordan Crooks, Camille Spink Speedy as Tennessee Crushes Alabama
The Tennessee Volunteers traveled to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to race against the Crimson Tide, and they came away with two dual-meet victories. Jordan Crooks, fresh off becoming the first man to break 20 in the short course meters version of the 50 free, returned to college racing in impressive fashion as he led Tennessee to a 189-111 victory, and the Tennessee women won 190-109.
The Tennessee men’s team of Ryan Williams, Kevin Houseman, Gui Caribe and Crooks won the 200 medley relay in 1:23.82, with Crooks blasting a 17.94 50 freestyle anchor split. This marked the second time in his career that Crooks has split sub-18, and along with Caeleb Dressel, he is one of only two men to break 18 in the flat-start version of the event.
Crooks returned to win the 50 free (18.62) and 100 butterfly (45.23), and Caribe won the 100 free (42.42). Caribe, Lamar Taylor, Nikoli Blackman and Crooks finished first in the 200 free relay ion 1:15.69, with Crooks coming up just short of another 17-second split with his 18.05.
Harrison Lierz finished first in the 100 backstroke (45.84), and Jed Garner came on top in a tight 100 breaststroke (53.65) before dominating over 200 yards (1:56.65). Martin Espernberger crushed the field in the 200 butterfly (1:45.08), and Tony Laurito won the 400 IM (3:46.99). In diving, Bennett Greene won both 1-meter (386.93) and 3-meter (402.83).
For Alabama, Leonardo Alcantara won the 1000 free (9:00.03), and Charlie Hawke went 1:33.01 for the win in the 200 free. Tommy Hagar won the 200 back (1:41.17) before Hawke won again in the 500 free (4:19.30), beating out Alcantara to touch first by two tenths.
Tennesse’s women started off with a three-tenth victory in the 200 medley relay from Josephine Fuller, McKenzie Siroky, Sara Stotler and Camille Spink. Spink entered the water just behind Alabama before splitting 21.06 to put the Lady Vols into the wall in 1:35.28, and it was the start of a strong day for the sophomore.
Spink went on to clock 21.65 to win the 50 free and 47.69 to claim the 100 free, with both triumphs in convincing fashion. Fuller won the 200 back (1:53.58).
Kate McCarville won the 1000 free (9:44.57) and 500 free (4:44.93), and Brooklyn Douthwright took first in the the 200 free (1:44.92) and 100 fly (52.76). Siroky topped the 100 breast in 59.31 while veteran teammate Mona McSharry, the Olympic bronze medalist in the 100-meter breast, swam her first individual race of the season and placed fifth (1:00.67).
Ella Jansen won the 200 fly for Tennessee in 1:54.86, and she returned to take first in the 400 IM (4:06.06). Lady Vol diver Lynae Shorter finished first on 1-meter (276.83) and 3-meter (312.00).
Alabama’s Emily Jones edged out the Tennessee duo of Regan Rathwell and Lexi Stephens in the 100 back, touching in 52.72. Avery Wiseman was the first-place finisher in the 200 breast (2:10.06). The team of Cadence Vincent, Charlotte Rosendale, Jada Scott and Kailyn Winter swam a time of 1:28.07 for the win in the 200 free relay.