Florida Men Extend Streak to 8-Straight SEC Titles

2020 SEC SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Tuesday, February 18 – Saturday, February 22, 2020
• Auburn, AL – James E. Martin Aquatic Center
• Prelims/Finals: 9:30 AM/5:30 PM Wed-Sat, 10/4:20PM Tues (Central Standard Time)
• Defending Champion: Texas A&M (4x), Florida (7x) (results)
• Live Video – SEC Network+ (prelims), ESPN (finals)
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After losing several top scorers to transfers, graduations, or redshirts, there was expectation that the Florida men would have a challenge on their hands to keep their SEC title streak alive. The Gators had several swimmers step up big time, however, and got the job done for the 8th year in a row. This is their 2nd SEC title under Head Coach Anthony Nesty, who has been coaching for the Gators for 22 seasons.

Sophomore Kieran Smith was a standout for the Gators. On the first night, he crushed the SEC Record as he became the 4th fastest man in history of the 200 free. That was on the leadoff of the Gators’ 800 free relay that took down the SEC Meet Record. Smith went on to blow away the American Record in the 500 free. He also won the 400 IM title.

Bobby Finke repeated as the mile champion, demolishing the NCAA and American Record in the process. Khader Baqlah, who won the 200 free in 2018, returned to the top of the podium. Baqlah picked up his 2nd career individual SEC title.

The Gators had several swimmers really step up, and their depth is what brought them this 8th win in a row. One of those swimmers was Dillon Hillis, who earned bronze in the 100 breast. Gerry Quinn was a key piece of the winning 800 free relay and made the final in the 200 free. This was Quinn’s first time making the SEC roster for the Gators. Freshmen Eric Friese and Kevin Vargas also made the championship finals in their first SEC meet.

Even with several members of last season’s team now absent due to graduation, redshirts, or transfers, the Gators pulled off the win by over 200 points. They had 13 swimmers qualify for championship finals. Below is the full list of championship finalists for the 2020 Florida Gators:

• Khader Baqlah
• Clark Beach
• Miguel Cancel
• Will Davis
• Bobby Finke
• Eric Friese
• Brennan Gravley
• Marco Guarente
• Dillon Hillis
• Gerry Quinn
• Grant Sanders
• Kieran Smith
• Kevin Vargas

FINAL TEAM SCORES – MEN

  1. University of Florida            1194   2. Texas A&M University            975.5
  3. Georgia, University of          953.5   4. University of Alabama           935.5
  5. Missouri                        846.5   6. Tennessee, University of, Knox    817
  7. Kentucky, University of           724   8. Auburn University                 697
  9. Louisiana State University        517  10. South Carolina, University of,    504