Rising junior Luke Massey is leaving Tennessee after two seasons and heading to South Carolina. Massey is a breaststroke/sprint specialist, who has qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 100 breast.
While at Tennessee, Massey established his personal bests in the SCY 100 breast, 200 breast, 50 free, 100 free, and 200 IM, as well as the LCM 100 breast, 200 breast, 50 free, and 100 free. Here are Massey’s personal bests in his primary events:
- SCY 100 breast – 54.29
- SCY 200 breast – 2:00.37
- SCY 50 free – 20.83
- SCY 100 free – 45.69
- LCM 100 breast – 1:02.42
- LCM 200 breast – 2:23.34
- LCM 50 free – 24.71
Massey’s personal best in the 100 breast would have made him the 3rd fastest swimmer on South Carolina’s roster last year. South Carolina’s top two breaststrokers, Itay Goldfaden (51.35) and Lionel Khoo (53.16), were both seniors last season, and will not be returning to the team in the Fall. Massey didn’t compete at SECs during either of his seasons with Tennessee, however, he will all but certainly make the SEC team at South Carolina next season. His 100 breast is just outside what it took to return to finals at SECs this past season (54.08).
South Carolina is facing a rebuild of their medley relays, both of which achieved NCAA B cuts at SECs last season. The Gamecocks’ 400 medley relay came in 4th at SECs last year, coming within a second of the NCAA A cut. Unfortunately, the only returning leg from those medleys is anchor Lewis Burras. Burras was a stunner at SECs this past season, anchoring the 200 medley in 18.75, and the 400 medley in 41.58.
Welcome aboard, Luke. Good luck & bring home some championships.
His best time in the 100 breaststroke would have returned to finals, as it only took a 54.35 to return. This should raise some eyebrows, as not everyone that Tennesee took to the meet made finals. I wonder if he did something wrong (I DOUBT THIS AS I KNOW HIM PERSONALLY) but if not, what is the staff at UT doing leaving a scorer home? I’d want to transfer away too if I was disrespected like this! and this is no Texas situation (have too many people make NCAA), Tennesse only had 16, by my quick glance, point scorers when teams have a roster size of 24 at SECs.
Massey was the fifth fastest breaststroker the past season. At South Carolina he will be on the dual meet and championship roster + his girlfriend goes to South Carolina.
Wish you all the best Luke!
Welp, there you have it —- the girlfriend. Case closed.
Not sure what all is going on at UT, I believe 4 or 5 other men have quit the team since SECs….
Who else has left?
go luke!
Sad to see ya go Luke! Best of luck at SC.
Will he have to sit out a year since he is transferring within the same conference?
If you transfer within the SEC you have to sit out a year.
Is that by rule or by choice of the school you are leaving?
Rule