MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The West Virginia University men's and women's swimming and diving teams begin dual meet competition against Kentucky at the Lancaster Aquatic Center in Lexington, Kentucky, on Friday at 2 p.m. EST.
 
"I am excited to take this team on the road for the first time," head coach Brent MacDonald said. "We get a chance to measure up with an SEC opponent with championship pedigree. It's going to be a great test as we look to find out how good we can be this year. Our staff has this crew focused and ready to race."


 
This is the first meet for the Mountaineers since they hosted the West Virginia State Games from Oct. 4-5. The men's swimming and diving team placed first while the women's swimming and diving team placed second behind Marshall.
 
Sophomore Owen Recker qualified for the NCAA Zone Diving Championship on the 1-meter and 3-meter at the meet. He was named Big 12 Men's Diver of the Week for this accomplishment.
 
Freshman Levi Hellmann also qualified on the 3-meter and senior Sarah Krusinski qualified on the 1-meter and 3-meter.
 
Veterans have led the way so far for both squads. Redshirt senior Danny Berlitz won three individual events and senior William Mullen won the 500-yard (4:36.73) and 1000-yard (9:27.42) freestyle at the state games.
 
For the women's team, newcomer Olivia Kraus flashed her speed, winning the 50-yard freestyle (23.85). She was also part of the relay team that won the 400-yard freestyle (3:31.94) relay at the state games.
 
The Kentucky men's swimming and diving team began the year with a loss to Ohio State, 191-107. The women's swimming and diving team fell to Ohio State, 218-80, but picked up a win against Akron, 172.5-127.5.
 
Final results will be on WVUsports.com.
 
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For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUSwimDive on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.