Eleven swimmers from the University of Tennessee’s women’s swimming team have been selected to compete at the NCAA Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships, scheduled for March 18-21 at the McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
Last year, the Lady Vols achieved a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Championships. This result marked their first time with back-to-back top five finishes and extended their streak to eight consecutive top ten placements.
Five athletes will each participate in three events during this year’s championships. Camille Spink, who won SEC titles in the 50, 100, and 200 freestyle events, secured automatic qualification in all three. “Spink leads the nation with the fastest time in the 50 Free with a 20.87. The junior ranks top ten nationally in the 100 and 200 Free as well, sitting fourth and eighth respectively,” according to information provided by Tennessee Athletics.
Ella Jansen is set to compete in the 500 freestyle, 200 butterfly, and 400 individual medley after winning gold in the latter event at the SEC Championships. Jillian Crooks earned her spot in the 100 backstroke by taking gold at SECs and will also swim alongside Spink in both sprint freestyle races.
Emily Brown qualified for three events—500 free, 200 fly, and 400 IM—matching Jansen’s lineup. Mizuki Hirai from Kariya City, Japan will make her debut appearance at NCAAs with entries in the 100 free, 100 back, and 100 fly.
McKenzie Siroky returns for a second straight year in both breaststroke distances after earning All-America honors last season. She claimed silver in the 100 breaststroke at this year’s SEC meet. Emelie Fast also qualified for both breaststroke events; she received All-America status last year and currently holds a national top-20 ranking in the 100 breaststroke.
Making their first NCAA appearances are Emily Armen (qualified for both sprint freestyles) and Lexi Stephens (set to swim both backstroke distances). Regan Rathwell returns after competing last year; she was named an All-American in the 100 backstroke with a performance that now ranks seventh-best all-time for Tennessee. Simone Moll rounds out this year’s group after earning bronze in the SEC Championship’s 100 breaststroke; she enters nationals holding one of this season’s top collegiate times.
Additionally, three Lady Vol divers will attempt to qualify for NCAAs during Zone B Diving Championships from March 8-11 in Athens, Georgia.
The full list of Tennessee qualifiers includes: Camille Spink (50/100/200 free), Jillian Crooks (50/100 free, 100 back), Emily Brown (500 free, 200 fly, 400 IM), Ella Jansen (500 free, 200 fly, 400 IM), Mizuki Hirai (100 free/back/fly), Emelie Fast (100/200 breast), McKenzie Siroky (100/200 breast), Emily Armen (100/200 free), Regan Rathwell (100/200 back), Lexi Stephens (100/200 back), and Simone Moll (100 breast).
