The UF men's and women's swimming and diving teams will host Michigan in a heated matchup this weekend.
The Gators are coming off sweeps of their first two meets of the season at Virginia and Minnesota. Michigan enters this weekend?s matchup after holding its annual Blue-Maize meet.
BMichigan is always a great meet for us - it always comes down to the last relay and it is always really exciting,C UF coach Gregg Troy said. BIt will be a great opportunity to see where our younger kids are at, as well.C
The meet?s long course meters will help prepare athletes from both teams for the upcoming Olympic trials.
Caroline Burckle is UF?s lone U.S.A. National Team member while Michigan boasts four on their roster, three men and one woman.
Matt Patton, Scott Pann and Alex Vanderkaay all made the national team in their respective events, and Emily Brunemann will represent Michigan and Club Wolverine.
The most anticipated women?s matchup is between Burnemann and Burckle in the 800-meter freestyle as both swimmers were named to the national team for this event.
Burckle is currently ranked third in the event with a time of 8:35.10, which she set in her gold-medal performance at the Pan American Games.
Brunnemann is ranked sixth with a time of 8:39.57 that she set at the World Swimming Grand Prix.
The UF women boast an undefeated record against the Wolverines, but the men have not been so lucky.
Last season marked the first time that the Gators defeated the Wolverines since 2000.
Tobias Work will likely face off against Patton in the 400-meter free. The duo earned medals in the event in the Pan American games this summer, with Work taking the silver and Patton finishing ahead of him for the gold.
Events will being at 5:00 p.m. Friday with the women?s one-meter diving event, and five swimming events will follow, kicking off at 7 p.m.
The meet will continue Saturday morning with the 200 medley relay kicks beginning at 10:00 a.m. with diving starting at 1:00 p.m.
The remainder of the swimming events will wait to commence until 7:00 p.m.
- STAFF REPORT
