Southeastern Conference Championships kick off tomorrow in Columbia, Missouri. Swimming World takes a look at some swimmers and teams to watch at the meet.
Ranked SEC men’s teams (CSCAA):
3. Georgia
5. Florida
6. Auburn
10. Tennessee
11. Alabama
13. Missouri
24. Texas A&M
25. Louisiana State
South Carolina also received votes
Eight of the ten SEC men’s teams are ranked in the top 25 nationally.
Ranked SEC women’s teams (CSCAA):
1. Georgia
5. Texas A&M
9. Florida
11. Auburn
13. Tennessee
20. Louisiana State
21. Missouri
22. Alabama
Arkansas also received votes
Eight of the twelve SEC women’s teams are ranked in the top 25 nationally.
Six swimmers to watch:
Caeleb Dressel, Florida
Dressel is entered five individual events for the Gators. The U.S. National Team member boasts the fastest 50-yard freestyle time in the nation and is primed for a big meet this week. At SEC Championships he is seeded first in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly. Dressel is also seeded second in the 100-breaststroke and 100-yard freestyle. The sophomore may swim the 200-yard individual medley as well.
Photo Courtesy: Taylor Brien
Hali Flickinger, Georgia
The Bulldog senior is currently on the U.S. National team in four events. She is entered in four events at SEC Championships. Flickinger is seeded first in the 200-yard butterfly and 200-yard freestyle. She also posted the second fastest pre-meet time in the 200-yard backstroke and 500-yard freestyle. Throughout the season, Flickinger has been a force for the No. 1 Georgia team.
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Michael Chadwick, Missouri
Michael Chadwick has developed into one of the top swimmers in the country and has been a large part of Missouri’s success. He and Dressel should battle for both the 50- and 100-yard freestyle title. Chadwick, a U.S. National team member, has the fastest 100-yard freestyle time in the country. He also is seeded second in the 50-yard freestyle and third in the 200-yard freestyle events at SEC Championships.
Photo Courtesy: Andy Ringgold
Bethany Galat, Texas A&M
Galat has played a large role in the success of No. 5 Texas A&M. She enters the SEC Championship meet with the top seed time in two events: the 200- and 400-yard individual medley. She also has the fifth fastest seed time in both the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke events. The sophomore finished fourth in the 200-yard individual medley at last year’s SEC Championships.
Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott
Pace Clark, Georgia
The U.S. National team member will look to make a splash in the butterfly events at SEC Championships. He is seeded first in the 200-yard butterfly and is tied with Missouri’s Andrew Sansoucie for the second fastest seed time in the 100-yard event. Clark also holds the tenth fastest pre-meet time in the 500-yard freestyle.
Photo Courtesy: Andy Ringgold
Olivia Smoliga, Georgia
Smoliga is seeded first in all three events she is entered in. The junior is set to swim the 100-yard backstroke, 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard freestyle. She already has posted automatic qualifying standards for the NCAA Championships in each of the three events. Smoliga is a member of the U.S. National Team in the 100-meter backstroke.
Photo Courtesy: Griffin Scott
NOTE: Swimmers can be entered in more than three events, but they eventually must decide which three to swim.
