Wildcats, Cardinals Clash In Bluegrass State Showdown

Lars Jorgensen and the Kentucky Wildcats are set to host Arthur Albiero and the Louisville Cardinals on Saturday in Lexington, KY for Senior Day.

Jan 21, 2017 by Maclin Simpson

Wildcats, Cardinals Clash In Bluegrass State Showdown

Kentucky coach Lars Jorgensen and the Wildcats are set to host the in-state rival Louisville Cardinals on Saturday. The meet will serve as Kentucky's Senior Day, where they will honor 14 graduating swimmers and divers.

Louisville coach Arthur Albiero and the Cardinals have had the Wildcats' number in recent years on both the men's and women's side, holding the crown of Kentucky's best. However, look for UK to make a push with some superstar talent, including 2016 NCAA champion in the 200 backstroke Danielle Galyer. Since Jorgensen's arrival in Lexington, KY, he has steadily developed a well-rounded program ready to compete on the national stage.

"This is a great group of seniors," Jorgensen said. "It's our rivalry meet along with senior day, so there are going to be a lot of emotions. I think the key is going to be keeping our emotions intact. We're racing against a really good Louisville team."

Important Meet Info & Links:

Location: Lexington, KY
Time: 12:00 PM CST
Live Results

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5 Swimmers to Watch

UK Women's Backstroke Trio

Yes, technically this is against the "rules." But then again, there are no rules. I am including Danielle Galyer, Asia Seidt, and Bridgette Alexander, because it is very rare to have three swimmers from the same team ranked in the top eight nationally in the same event. These Kentucky ladies have owned the 200-yard backstroke for the No. 18 Wildcats, led by defending NCAA champion and U.S. national team member Galyer, followed closely by freshman sensation Seidt, and two-time U.S. Short Course National champion Alexander. Throw in Danielle's younger sister, Ali Galyer, who is ranked 14th nationally, and you have a quartet to be reckoned with this season.

Mallory Comerford (Louisville)

Comerford made a name for herself during her freshman campaign by finishing second at the 2016 NCAA Championships in the 200 freestyle with a blazing 1:42.54, just 12 one-hundredths behind Georgia Bulldogs standout Brittany MacLean. Comerford did not stop there, though. She only got better throughout the summer and has absolutely taken off this fall. Comerford threw down a blistering 47.36 in the 100 freestyle at the Big Ten vs. USA College Challenge in November and carried that momentum into December, when she came home with three medals (two gold, one silver) at the 2016 Short Course World Championships.

Kyle Higgins (Kentucky)

The senior, pictured above next to the G.O.A.T. at the start of semifinals of the 200m butterfly at the Olympic Trials, has made drastic improvements in his time at the University of Kentucky. Over the course of four years, Higgins has gone from a 1:51 to a 1:42 in the 200-yard butterfly. His 1:42.66 from the Ohio State Invitational in November is a Kentucky school record and should safely qualify him for the NCAA Championships in March.

Andrea Cottrell (Louisville)

Cottrell, a senior, is a U.S. national team member and has been a staple for the Cardinals in the breaststroke events. Cotrell, who finished sixth at the 2016 NCAA Championships in the 100 breaststroke, has sterling lifetime bests of 58.26 and 2:07.42 in the 100 and 200, respectively. Equally as impressive, she earned her U.S. national team distinction by finishing fifth at the U.S. Olympic Trials with a 1:07.21 in the 100m breaststroke.

Trevor Carroll (Louisville)

Early on in Carroll's career at Louisville, he took advantage of training with and racing three-time NCAA champion Joao de Lucca. Since then, Carroll's confidence appears to have boosted along with his times. The senior has some serious range, swimming at an elite level from the 50 freestyle (19.57) all the way up to the 500 freestyle (4:15.77). However, his speciality lies somewhere in the middle with the 200 free. So look for him to make an impact at ACCs and NCAAs for the Cards this season.