Senior Night brought much excitement and a pair of victories in the O’Connell Center Friday evening.
Florida’s swimming and diving teams hosted Tennessee for the last dual meet of the season and each collected important wins.
Florida’s men crushed Tennessee 208-92 en route to putting the finishing touches on their undefeated dual-meet season. The women upset the 4th-ranked Volunteers by a score of 167-133.
After UT’s men and women nabbed both 200 medley relays, it seemed as though a male Gator emerged from the water victorious during every individual event.
The only individual winner for Tennessee’s men was Sean Lehane in the 200 breast.
Junior Marcin Cieslak maintained his winning ways in the 200 free. Cieslak got the best of teammates Carlos Omana and Dan Wallace, who finished second and third respectively, with a time of 1:37.85.
Freshman Corey Main had a performance in the 100 back that prompted an eruption from the fans. As Main trailed only UT junior Samuel Rairden going into the last turn, Main exploded off the wall and darted his way into a first-place finish.
Sophomore Matt Elliot proceeded with a comeback of his own in the 100 breast, overtaking Renato Prono, and tapping the wall .04 seconds quicker than the UT junior.
Florida’s men would not let up as the meet continued. Junior Brad DeBorde sparked cheers of his own when he was clocked a 19.88 in the 50 free.
Junior Elizabeth Beisel owned the competition in the 200 back, but finished third in the 100 back behind Sinead Russel and UT’s Lauren Solernou.
Jamie Bohunicky ended up stealing the show with her performance in the 500 free, the last event she’ll race in for a dual meet. She posted yet another Florida victory with a time of 4:39.93
Bohunicky said it was the perfect way to end her last dual meet as a Gator.
“I felt pretty solid,” Bohunicky said. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
This is the third overall win for the women and their second in the Southeastern Conference.
Tennessee’s women entered undefeated but came up short for the first time this season. Florida will not compete again until the SEC Championships Feb. 19.
Bohunicky said she’s “really excited to suit up and see what times [Florida] can pull off.”
