Kentucky swim and dive earn six medals at SEC Championships

Kentucky+and+Cincinnati+swimmers+dive+into+the+pool+during+the+meet+against+the+University+of+Cincinnati+on+Friday%2C+Jan.+31%2C+2020%2C+at+the+Lancaster+Aquatic+Center+in+Lexington%2C+Kentucky.+Photo+by+Jordan+Prather+%7C+Staff

Kentucky and Cincinnati swimmers dive into the pool during the meet against the University of Cincinnati on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, at the Lancaster Aquatic Center in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo by Jordan Prather | Staff

Ian Alvano, Reporter

Kentucky swim and dive concluded the SEC Championships with an eighth place win for the mens team and a third place victory on the womens side, with total scores of 514 and 946, respectively.

Levi Sandidge was the man of the weekend in College Station, Texas, where he became the first male swimmer to win a gold medal at the SEC Championships for Kentucky since 2006.

In fact, only four male athletes, including Sandidge, have ever won gold for Kentucky at the Championships.

Originally from Richardson, Texas, Sandidge crushed the field in the 1650 freestyle. He finished with a time of 14:31.47, which is the fastest time in the country this season and was deemed as an NCAA “A-cut.”

Staying on the mens side, Max Berg had himself a solid weekend as well.

Berg competed in the 100 freestyle and finished in sixth place in the event with a time of 42.11. After Saturday, Berg had broken three Kentucky school records with his 100 freestyle time as well as in the 200 freestyle and mens 100 backstroke.

On the womens side, six Wildcats took part in the 200 backstroke.

Caitlin Brooks finished with a bronze medal after recording a 1:52.38 time in the womens 100 backstroke. Brooks tallied her third medal of the season on Saturday.

In a familiar spot, Gillian Davey posted a season-fast 2:08.19 performance in the 200 breaststroke. Davey, who won the event last year, finished in fourth place this time around.

Kyndal Knight took home a silver medal in the womens platform while Lauren Poole earned a silver medal as well in the womens 400 IM.

In total, the team finished the Championships with six medals on the weekend. Sandidge was the only one to grab gold, while five other Cats racked up silver and bronze.