Even after watching high school swimmers excel in this area from many years, I am still amazed at how good they are after the move on.
Perhaps no one had (or deserved) more accolades in high school than Spring Grove graduate Michele King, who recorded all personal best times for the University of Tennessee at the SEC swimming championships last weekend.
The former Rocket was just that in the water as she set a new Volunteer record in the 100 breaststroke with her time of 1:00.46, which was good for third in the conference.
King placed fourth in the 50 free with a 22.30, although she posted an even better time of 22.11 in the preliminaries. Her time of 48.70 tied for third in the 100 free.
She also was on four relays, including the SEC championship 200 free relay that set a Tennessee record with a time of 1:29.07, after her freestyle spilt of 22.22.
The sophomore King was also on the 400 medley relay that finished second, the 200 medley team that was third and 800 free relay that was fourth. All three of those relays also set new Volunteer marks.
King was named to the women’s first team all-SEC and her sprint times are among the top three posted collegiately in the nation.
Also on the college pool front, Lauren Botterbusch of Dallastown won her third straight New York State Women’s Collegiate Athletic Association titles in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke for Ithaca College, which captured its ninth Elite Eight title in a row.
The Bombers’ junior set school and meet records in both events and her 100 breast time of 1:05.34 also established a new NYSWCAA mark.
Botterbusch was also on three conference winning relays, the 200 and 400 medleys, along with the 200 free relay. All times were NCAA “B” qualifiers. The 200 medley time of 1:48 set both Ithaca and NYSWCAA records and the other relays both set new school marks.
Sport shorts: Although the Tennessee men’s basketball team’s time at No. 1 was likely to be short lived after losing at Vanderbilt, the Volunteers shouldn’t be embarrassed.
Vandy is an in-state rival that plays terrific at home. Plus, Tennessee likely lost its emotional edge coming off its huge win over another rival, then No. 1 Memphis.
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