The #7 Florida men have released their 2019-20 meet schedule, lined up with 8 dual meets, 2 mid-season invitationals, and the coveted SEC Championships and NCAA Championships. The Gators will host 3 dual meets, one more than last season, along with their last chance invitational meet in February.
Among the differences in their meet line-up, the Gators have eased up on dual meet opponents. For example, in lieu of the Texas/Indiana meet that took place last year, the Gators will travel to Minnesota and swim against the Gophers. Likewise, the Gators have cut the Kentucky/Ohio State meet that opened their 2019 meet campaign and will push their 2020 meet opener to January 25th against Auburn.
Here’s the Gator men’s full 2019-20 meet schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Host |
| 9/27 | Nova Southeastern/Indian River | @ NSU |
| 9/28 | FAU | @ FAU |
| 10/11 | Minnesota | @ Minnesota |
| 10/18 | Missouri | @ Missouri |
| 11/1 | Georgia | @ Florida |
| 11/8 | Florida State | @ Florida |
| 11/22-11/24 | Georgia Tech Invitational | @ Georgia Tech |
| 12/4-12/7 | Toyota U.S. Open | @ Atlanta |
| 1/25 | Auburn | @ Florida |
| 2/1 | Tennessee | @ Tennessee |
| 2/7-2/9 | Auburn Last Chance Invitational | @ Auburn |
| 2/18-2/22 | SEC Championships | @ Auburn |
| 2/28-2/29 | Florida Invitational Last Chance | @ Florida |
| 3/9-3/11 | NCAA Diving Zone Championships | @ TBA |
| 3/25-3/28 | Men’s NCAA Championships | @ IUPUI |
Last year, the Gators had a very successful regular season meet campaign, suffering only one loss against the IU Hoosiers. The Gators dropped their matchup with Indiana along with with top-10 programs Texas and Ohio State, although last season the Gators successfully defeated both programs.
In addition to Minnesota, the Gators have added battles versus Missouri (Mizzou), D2’s Nova Southeastern, and NJCAA team champion Indian River. For the aforementioned non-D1 programs, it is a great opportunity for Nova Southeastern and Indian River to compete against the Gators and gain experience outside of their respective divisions.
Here’s a closer look at Florida’s dual meet opponents, including last year’s duals and this year’s additions.
| School | 2019 NCAAs |
| Nova Southeastern | 12th (D2) |
| Indian River | 1st (NJCAA) |
| Minnesota | 19th |
| Missouri | 11th |
| Florida Atlantic (FAU) | N/A |
| Georgia | 18th |
| Florida State | 14th |
| Auburn | 40th |
| Tennessee | 11th |
| LSU* | 26th |
| Texas* | 2nd |
| Indiana* | 3rd |
| Kentucky* | 25th |
| Ohio State* | 9th |
*2018-19 opponents, new 2019-20 opponents
Returning members of the 2019 NCAA sixth-place finishing team include US national teamers Kieran Smith, Bobby Finke, and Clark Beach. Alongside those three, newcomer Brennan Gravley will add more power to the distance squad with specialist Trey Freeman. Powerful sprint relay swimmers Grant Sanders, Will Davis, and Khader Baqlah.
Off-topic / different team, but does anyone have the Texas men’s schedule available? Or know why it’s such a big secret / not on their team website in late September? Seems like this happens every year. Thanks.
Judging from the number of teams that have released their schedule and have historically done meets with Texas and Texas is off most of their calendars I think it is safe to say the delay is them not wanting to release it.
Kieran has a work ethic like no other. I believe he will be on the 800 free night relay @Tokyo.
Kieran Smith I love you
Hot take:
Kieran Smith will sweep the IMs at NCAAs
Is it possible he drops the 400IM for the 2free? He had a great 2free at Nats, I believe he’s #2 on the Nat roster. Maybe he wants to focus on the 4×200 for Tokyo.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see it. He has the fastest time of any American this year in the 200m free, and Bobby Finke and Grant Sanders should do very well in the 400 IM. Kieran is turning into the Swiss Army knife swimmer Florida is so good at producing. He really can swim just about anything.