The Kentucky swim and diving team hosted the Cincinnati Bearcats for its senior night on Friday. The event kicked off with senior recognition, where each senior received four years’ worth of attention and applause for their past achievements.

Most races ended with the Cats hitting the wall first. Among these winners were seniors Morgan Belli, Isaac Jones and Bridgette Alexander.

Alexander has been a swimmer for 14 years, and this season is her final one at UK.

“I’ll miss dual meets and cheering on my teammates the most. Just being here in this atmosphere is what makes it the most fun,” Alexander said after the meet.

Alexander finished her specialty race, the 100-yard backstroke, in first place for the Cats with the time 54.66.

For the diving portion of the meet, sophomores Emma Dellmore and Kevin Frebel put up nine points each for the Cats in the one and three meter dives.

After all races and dives were finished, both the men’s and women’s team came out on top. The men won 207-91 while the women won 209-89.

The swimmers certainly have a great time at meets because the cheering in the Lancaster Aquatic Center is nonstop. Hollering and shouting each others’ names as team members finish racing keeps the energy high.

As the Cats now get into the championship part of their schedule, the team plans on climbing up the rankings for the rest of the season.

After the meet, head coach Lars Jorgenson said that getting to NCAA championships is important and getting more swimmers qualified for championship is his main goal.

Jorgenson said that watching this season’s seniors grow over the past four years has been amazing and he is looking forward to finishing the season strong with them.

Before getting to the championships, the Cats will have to finish out this season and take on Ohio State away from their home waters in Lexington. The next meet will be Feb. 10-11 in Columbus, Ohio.