Defending SEC Runner-Up in the 200 Fly Meghan Small Skips 200 Fly

Braden Keith
by Braden Keith 10

February 22nd, 2019 College, SEC

2019 SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

There has been another significant scratch after the scratch deadline at the SEC Championships. This time, it was Meghan Small of Tennessee, who earlier in the meet set the SEC Record in the 200 IM, that was a declared false start in the 200 fly.

Unlike with Texas A&M’s Sydney Pickrem, who no-showed as the top seed of the 400 IM, SwimSwam has been told that this scratch, while also medical in nature, will count as an event for Small. By declaring a false start, she is still eligible to race in the 400 medley relay on Friday evening, if her condition improves by then.

Small beat Pickrem for that 200 IM title, with both swimmers both going under the old SEC Championship Record.

Small was 4th in the 200 fly at SECs last year and 16th at NCAAs.

With both Texas A&M and Tennessee now having lost big swims from top swimmers, the advantage goes to the young upstart Florida Gators in a tight team battle that the Aggies lead with 618.5 points, Florida sits 2nd in with 561.5 points, and where Tennessee is 3rd with 557.5 points. It’s still a wide-open race, but Tennessee will be reeling from the loss of those points.

Whether Pickrem swims at all on Saturday, and if she does, whether she attempts a brutal 200 back/200 breast double, will go a long way toward determining the outcome of this meet.

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Hoping for the Best
5 years ago

Sounds like something is funny in the water down there! Who’s next?!

swimmom1
5 years ago

Small was actually 4th last year; Megan Kingsley was runner-up.

Thirteen
Reply to  swimmom1
5 years ago

They have that correct in the article; misleading title.

VFL
5 years ago

Does the DFS still count as an individual swim?

Could she do the 200 back tomorrow?

VFL
Reply to  VFL
5 years ago

Sorry seeing it addressed in the article now. It sounds like she would’ve been better no showing like Pickrem and appealing afterwards right? Then she could’ve possibly swum tomorrow.

Bummer regardless. Hope she feels better soon.

Texas A&M Swim Fan
Reply to  Braden Keith
5 years ago

After day 4, A&M’s lead over Florida has jumped from 57 to 83 points. The lead over Tennessee is now 162 points. I see on Meet Mobile that Pickerem is slated to swim the 200 breast but not the 200 back. I’m impressed with Florida’s performance at this meet but they will really have to have a huge day on Saturday to wrest the title from the defending champions. I’m prejudiced (of course), but I don’t see that happening. Getting ready to accept another SEC Championship trophy & hoist another SEC Championship banner in College Station! Wasn’t expecting this one but it will be gladly accepted! The SEC women’s swimming championship runs through College Station, Texas !! Gig em forever!!

dmswim
5 years ago

Either both Small and Pickrem swam incredible 200 IMs injured/ill or that race took so much out of them they haven’t recovered. Either way, it’s odd to have two swimmers perform so well and then be unable to compete later in the meet.

Vol Mom
Reply to  dmswim
5 years ago

Small was second in the 200 free last night, I think she recovered from the IM just fine.

dmswim
Reply to  Vol Mom
5 years ago

Then what is the sudden issue?

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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