**EDITOR’S NOTE: This story is being published retroactively after it was submitted due to a backup within the sports desk. This story was submitted ahead of the season-opening meet on Oct. 19.**
Kentucky swim and dive underwent a transitional period during its 2023-24 season, where it found new management under head coach Bret Lundgaard.
Hope shone through for the Wildcats, however, seeing four athletes compete at the NCAA Championships and 12 compete in the Olympic Trials ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
With this being said, there are still many athletes that are sure to bring excitement for the Wildcats this upcoming season, too.
The Wildcats began their season with their annual intrasquad scrimmage, the “blue versus white” meet on Sept. 20, which showcased new and returning talent.
The white team, showcasing returning talents like sophomore Carson Hick and junior Ryan Merani, took the win over the blue team with a score of 266-211.
Hick made a name for himself his freshman year with the Wildcats, where his specialization in the freestyle named him a 2024 NCAA Qualifier and part of the 2024 SEC All-Freshman Team.
During the team’s scrimmage meet, the sophomore took first in the 1,000-yard freestyle and the 500-yard freestyle. Hick also was a 2024 Olympic Trials Qualifier, which is sure to make him a swimmer to watch this season.
Also returning to the Wildcats for his third season is Merani, who set many personal records this past year and additionally was a 2024 NCAA Qualifier and 2024 Olympic Trials Qualifier. Merani is a dynamic member of the squad, competing in the freestyle, butterfly and individual medley.
During the meet, Merani showed promise for the upcoming season, taking wins in the 200-yard freestyle, the 200-yard butterfly and as a part of the 400-yard medley relay. With his versatility, Merani surely will keep building off of his prior accomplishments with the Wildcats.
While the white team took the win during the intrasquad scrimmage, the blue team also showcased returning talents that show that the Wildcats are looking to keep building.
Fifth-year senior swimmer Bridget Engel has also always been a promising athlete for Kentucky, where she has been a 2023 and 2024 NCAA Qualifier and a 2021 and 2024 Olympic Trials Qualifier, while also holding many records including No. 4 in the 100-meter breaststroke, which she took in 2024.
For the blue team, Engel took the 200-yard breaststroke and was a part of the winning 400-yard medley relay team. Engel’s vast experience with the team will make her, as she showed this past year, a vital aspect to the squad.
Alongside Engel on the winning 400-yard medley relay team for the blue team was Madi McGlothen, a sophomore freestyle and individual medley specialist who stood out during her first year with the Wildcats, where she was named to the 2024 SEC All-Freshman Team.
McGlothen being standout her freshman season speaks volumes to what the sophomore will be capable of this upcoming season.
Similar to last season, the Wildcats are bringing in a young crew, with 25 freshmen set to join the roster. Although a young roster can allude to a team needing the season to adjust, there are promising young prospects to keep an eye out for.
Caue Gluck joins the Wildcats from Brazil and is sure to display his skills in the freestyle as he did this past September at the 2024 South American Swimming Championships in Cali, Colombia.
Gluck and Brazil won gold in the 800-meter freestyle relay with a final time of 7:25.53, where he got his relay squad off to a 1:51.45 start. Gluck also took home bronze in the 400-meter freestyle final with a time of 1:52.06.
The talent and depth to the Wildcat squad does not end there, as many swimmers showcased the talent that they will bring to the squad. Eight events during the meet for the women’s swim and dive events were won with freshmen as a part of the squad, while three for the men’s swim and dive events were won with freshmen involved.
The team will be sure to build from where it left off last season and from what it displayed during the intrasquad meet.
Kentucky swim and dive will start official competition Oct. 19 in Columbus, Ohio, against Ohio State.
