By Dan D’Addona.
One of the biggest rivalries in the SEC renews this week when the Florida swimming & diving team heads to Auburn for its latest showdown on Saturday.
The Florida men are ranked No. 10 in the College Swimming Coaches Association of America poll, while Auburn is just two spots behind at No. 12.
This meet should feature plenty of great races from Florida’s Caeleb Dressel and Auburn’s Peter Holoda, who could face off head-to-head in the sprint events.
In the women’s meet, Auburn is ranked No. 14 and Florida is No. 21.
This will be one of the first big rivalry dual meets for Florida freshmen Sherridon Dressel and Savanna Faulconer. It will be interesting to see how they fair at Auburn’s pool against another pretty talented freshman: Julie Meynen.
Georgia at Tennessee
The No. 2 Georgia women are coming off their first home defeat in 20 years. The Bulldogs look to move past the loss as they head on the road to face SEC rival Tennessee on Saturday.
The Bulldogs are favored, but anything can happen in the SEC, especially on the road.
This is where Olivia Smoliga, Emily Cameron, Chantal Van Landeghem and the rest of the Georgia seniors will show their leadership.
They will be up against the Volunteers, loaded with talent. Meghan Small is coming off a performance that earned her SEC Freshman of the Week. Meanwhile, Tennessee has seniors Kira Toussaint, Madeline Tegner and another freshman Madeline Banic leading the way.
In the men’s meet, Tennessee’s Sam McHugh and Liam Stone are coming off being named the SEC Swimmer and Diver of the Week, respectively.
They will look to lead the charge against Chase Kalisz, Gunnar Bentz and the Litherland brothers of Georgia.
Alabama at Georgia Tech, then Florida State
The Alabama Crimson Tide face two ranked opponents this weekend when they face Georgia Tech and Florida State.
The Alabama men are ranked No. 9, while Florida State is No. 18 and Georgia Tech is No. 25.
Friday roundup
In other SEC matchups on Friday, Arkansas faces Vanderbilt and Clemson, Drury swims at Minnesota and SMU faces Texas A&M.
Saturday roundup
In other SEC matchups on Saturday include LSU at Texas A&M, Louisville at Kentucky, Missouri State at Missouri and the second day of the Arkansas/Vanderbilt/Clemson meets.
Banic is a sophomore.