Nov. 20, 2009

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The Alabama Swimming and Diving teams continued to set records and win events on day two of the Tennessee Invitational being held in Knoxville, Tenn. this weekend.

After breaking three pool records on the meet's first day, Crimson Tide junior Kate Shannon Gray got day two off to a fast start when she destroyed the previous Allan Jones Aquatic Center record in the 400 individual medley, shaving three seconds off the old mark with a 4:16.75.

Overall Alabama has won 10 of the 20 individual events contested over the meet's first two days, and broken four pool records in the process. The Tide is facing off against host Tennessee as well as Kentucky and Virginia Tech in the three-day invitational that includes prelims and finals of all the events.

"It was another good day," Alabama head coach Eric McIlquham said. "We broke another pool record, had some folks move up our all-time top-10 and for the second day in a row we had several lifetime bests and we continue to get our hand the wall first. We just need to come back tomorrow and have a strong finish."

Senior Agustina de Giovanni continues to set the pace in the breaststroke events, winning the 100 breaststroke with a 1:01.14 which ranks her second in the nation this year. Senior Maggie Zblewski was fifth in the 100 breaststroke with a 1:03.27. Her 1:03.12 in prelims was a career-best time and moves her to eighth all-time for the Tide.

Sophomore Carrie Dragland won the three-meter diving event, totaling 339.05 points to edge out Tennessee's Jodie Mgroaty by a point and a half. Senior Hannah Brinks was second in the 100 butterfly with a 54.27

Alabama closed out the night by winning the men's 800 freestyle relay. Junior Denes Zubcsek, senior Mark Randall, junior Catalin Cosma and sophomore Joe Ziegler combined to post a 6:32.24, which put them more than a second ahead of the next best finisher.

Aaron Fleshner won the one-meter board, marking his second victory of the weekend. The senior scored a 376.65, which put him more than 20 points better than second place.

Alabama finished one-two in the men's 100 breaststroke with senior Riley Boulden leading the way with a 55.09 and junior Daniel Armstrong taking second with a 55.34. Armstrong's time is a career-best and ranks him 10th all-time at Alabama. Senior Kyle Lee took second in the men's 400 IM, touching the wall at 3:59.10 after posting a season-best 3:58.93 in prelims. Randall took third in the 200 freestyle with a season-best 1:37.53.

Ziegler, the school record holder in the 200 backstroke, turned in a career-best 49.17 in the 100 backstroke, good for third place. It also ranks Ziegler seventh all-time for the Tide.