Three Conference Titles Highlight Day 1 at SEC Championships

Tuesday, February 16

Columbia, MO

All Day

Florida Gators

SEC Championships

Photo: Mizzou Athletics

Three Conference Titles Highlight Day 1 at SEC Championships

Tuesday, February 16, 2016 | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving

Gators set 2 new UF School Records

By: Benjamin Schmitz

** Complete Day One Results **

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The University of Florida men's and women's swimming and diving teams claimed three SEC Championship Titles and set two school records on Tuesday night in Day One action at the 2016 SEC Championships. The Gator men currently sit in third place with 145 points while the Gator women hold a sixth-place position with 127 points.

Senior Kahlia Warner was quick to put UF in front on Tuesday, taking the top spot in the women's 1-Meter springboard competition. The 2015 All-American strung together a six-dive score of 346.10 to break Kara Salamone's seven-year standing school record of 328.30.

But the fun didn't stop there. On the ensuing race, the Florida men brought home of a title of their own, this one coming in the 200-Yard Medley Relay. The quartet of sophomores Caeleb Dressel, Jan Switkowski, junior Jack Blyzinskyj, and senior Corey Main swam a remarkable relay -- touching out with a time of 1:23.69.

Their first-place mark not only sets a new UF school record and tied the SEC Meet record from 2009, but it also stands as the nation's top time among collegiate swimming this season.

The Gators ended their night on a high-note, taking a third SEC crown in the men's 800-Yard Freestyle relay. The foursome of sophomores Switkowski and Mark Szaranek, junior Mitch D'Arrigo, and senior Pawel Werner swam a top time of 6:13.64, which also ranks first nationally among collegiate swimming and was good for a new pool record.

The Gators return to action tomorrow at 11 a.m. ET for Day Two action at the 2016 SEC Championships. Tomorrow's prelims will feature competition in the 500-Yard freestyle, 200-Yard IM, and 50-yard freestyle.

Notable Quotes
Florida Head Coach Gregg Troy on the Day: Click here to watch Coach Troy's Complete Media Address

"We had good solid relays the whole way along today," said Troy. "We maybe could have done a little better in one of the women's relays. The men's were both real solid and for this part in the season we were real pleased with where we're at."

Florida Head Diving Coach Dale Schultz: Click here to watch Coach Schultz's Complete Media Address
"It's pretty exciting -- Kahlia has been working on this goal for the last four years," said Schultz. "We really just tried to take what she'd been working on those first few years and try to sharpen things up and finish strong."

Senior Kahlia Warner on winning the Women's 1-Meter Title: Click here to watch Warner's Complete Media Address
"It's an amazing feeling -- I've been waiting to accomplish this for so long" said Warner. I've been in this position before where I started off fast at the SECs and then didn't do as well the next day. I've got tomorrow off so I'll let the adrenaline rush out a little bit and then build it up the next day

Junior Mitch D'Arrigo on winning the 800-Yard Freestyle Relay:
"The 800 free relay is always a race we care about and we put a lot of pride into it. It really helps get the team pumped and ready for the week. I knew it was going to be a tough race between Auburn but our guys were able to step it up when we needed to."

Complete Men's Scores After Day One Action:

Auburn	170
Missouri	151
Florida	145
Tennessee	141
Alabama	140
Texas A&M	136
Georgia	122
T-8. Kentucky	114
T-8. South Carolina	114
10. LSU	105

Complete Women's Scores After Day One Action:

T1. Kentucky	154
T1. Tennessee	154
3. Georgia	149
LSU	133
Texas A&M	132
Florida	127
Missouri	122
Arkansas	112
South Carolina	112
10. Auburn	106
11. Alabama	99
12. Vanderbilt	62