Gators Send 15 to Finals on Final Day of SEC Championships

Gators Send 15 to Finals on Final Day of SEC Championships

Saturday, February 19, 2022 | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving

13 swimmers and two divers will compete on the final night of the Championship Event

By: Jacob LaMotta

Results | Meet Notes | Championship Central

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – On the final day of the SEC Championships, Florida is set to send 13 swimmers and two divers to Saturday night's finals session.

Seven Florida Gators earned their way into championship finals and there were 13 B-cut qualifying standards times and two Zone qualifying scores hit during the morning session.

Two UF women swam their way into the 200 back B-Final on Saturday night, with Mabel Zavaros leading the way with a time of 1:55.26. Rosie Zavaros followed, posting a time of 1:55.54 to earn the 15th overall seed.

Kieran Smith made his way into the championship final of the 200 back after posting a B-cut swim of 1:40.90 in the prelim.

In the women's 100 free, two of the three Gators competing earned their spot in the consolation B-Final on Saturday evening. Talia Bates claimed the ninth overall seed with a time of 48.51, while Ekaterina Nikonova touched the wall 10th with a time of 48.52.

Over on the men's side, all four Gators earned a spot in the finals session – including three in the championship final. Adam Chaney led the way as the third overall seed, swimming a 42.17, while Macguire McDuff and Eric Friese went 5-6 with swims of 42.47 and 42.58, respectively, to earn their spots in the championship final.

Rounding out the Gators in the 100 free is Alberto Mestre, who is set to compete in the B-Final after notching a time of 42.92 in the prelim.

Additionally, four Gator men are set to make an appearance in the finals of the 200 breaststroke, with Amro Al-Wir and Kevin Vargas headed to the A-Final. Al-Wir earned the fifth overall seed after his swim of 1:54.14, while Vargas followed close behind him securing the sixth overall seed with a time of 1:54.58.

Peter Bretzmann earned his spot in the B-Final after his swim of 1:55.97, securing the 11th seed overall in the prelim. Julian Smith is set to compete in the C-Final after his swim of 1:56.90.

In the women's platform, five Gators score with Maha Amer and Elettra Neroni set to go to the championship final. Amer finished first overall with a score of 286.80 while Neroni earned the seventh spot with a score of 261.60. Lauren Snider finished ninth, just outside the championship final with a score of 244.25 – hitting the zone qualifying standard.

Elizabeth Perez and Carina Lumia placed 21st and 23rd, registering marks of 199.45 and 198.90 to finish off Florida's point scorers.

How it Happened – Prelims:

Both women that swam in the 200 backstroke prelim earned their way into the B-Final:
- B – Mabel Zavaros (1:55.26 – B-cut), Rosie Zavaros (1:55.54 – B-cut)
Kieran Smith made his way into the championship final of the 200 back after posting a B-cut swim of 1:40.90 in the prelim
In the women's 100 free, two swimmers earned spots in the B-Final after finishing ninth and 10th overall
- B – Talia Bates (48.51 – B-cut), Ekaterina Nikonova (48.52 – B-cut)
All four Gator men that swam in the 100 free prelim will compete in Saturday night's final session, including three in the championship final
- A – Adam Chaney (42.17 – B-cut), Macguire McDuff (42.47 – B-cut), Eric Friese (42.58 – B-cut)
- B – Alberto Mestre (42.92 – B-cut)
Four Gator men are set to make an appearance in the finals of the 200 breaststroke
- A – Amro Al-Wir (1:54.14 – B-cut), Kevin Vargas (1:54.58 – B-cut)
- B – Peter Bretzmann (1:55.97 – B-cut)
- C – Julian Smith (1:58.77 – B-cut)
After the women's platform prelim Maha Amer and Elettra Neroni are going to the championship final. Maha Amer finished first overall with a score of (286.80) and Elettra Neroni finished seventh with a score of (261.60)

Broadcast Information:

Live results will be available the entire meet through UTsports.com or the Meet Mobile app
Diving results can also be found here
All prelims and finals over the course of the championship competition will be streamed on SECN+

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