Urlando and Sates Win Second Golds at SEC Championships

Thursday, February 17

Knoxville, Tenn.

9:30 a.m. (Prelims) | 5:30 p.m. (Finals)

University of Georgia

SEC Championships

Urlando and Sates Win Second Golds at SEC Championships

February 17, 2022 | Swimming & Diving

Thursday Finals Results Friday Prelims Heat Sheet

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With a second-consecutive night of titles, teammates Luca Urlando and Matthew Sates helped power the University of Georgia swimming and diving team to a tremendous outing at the 2022 SEC Swimming & Diving Championships Thursday evening at the Allan Jones Aquatic Center.

Boosted by multiple podium trips and five heat victories in the evening session, Georgia now stands second in both the men's and women's competitions. In the women's standings, Georgia continues to trail Tennessee, 758.5-537, while the Bulldog men rank second with 496 points behind leading Florida at 744.

In the men's 100 butterfly, Urlando earned his third career SEC championship, leading the pack with a school record time of 44.41, earning an A-cut and setting a pool record. Urlando's time narrowly topped the previous school record of 44.42 set by former teammate Camden Murphy at last season's NCAA Championships. After trailing at the halfway point, Urlando surged ahead to win by nearly a half-second.

Later in the meet, Sates notched his second gold medal in as many days, finishing first in the 200 freestyle with a school record of 1:31.16, also earning an A-cut and pool record as he pulled ahead in the final 50 yards. Sates' record-setting mark bested Matias Koski's 1:31.54 turned in at the 2016 NCAA Championships. Behind Sates, sophomore Jake Magahey, last year's SEC Champion, finished fourth with a season-best B-cut of 1:32.24. In the C final, junior Zach Hils won with a PR of 1:34.14, moving into eighth all-time in program history. Sophomore Maxine Parker then placed eighth in the women's 100 free with a time of 1:46.27.

Earlier in the evening, junior Ian Grum and senior Andrew Abruzzo capped off an impressive evening of medley performances with medals in the 400 IM. With a time of 3:43.23, Grum earned the silver medal, improving upon the bronze he won last season at Missouri. Abruzzo, who prior to Thursday had not competed in the 400 this season, finished third with a time of 3:43.65. In the women's IM, his younger sister Mia prevailed in the B final with a B-cut of 4:10.66, followed by senior Portia Brown, who finished 10^th with a PR of 4:11.00. Finally, graduate Peyton Palsha won the C final with a season-best time of 4:12.55.

In the women's 100 fly, seniors Dakota Luther and Callie Dickinson finished fifth and seventh respectively, with both swimmers posting new personal bests. Luther's time of 51.88 moved her into eighth place all-time in program history, while Dickinson was consistent with a 52.33 in both prelims and finals.

At the diving well, the Bulldogs continued a strong performance this week with both sophomore Meghan Wenzel and senior Ellie Crump scoring for the second time. Wenzel placed 13^th with a score of 291.00 with Crump finishing 23^rd at 261.40. Freshman Nolan Lewis will look to continue the momentum as he competes Friday on the platform.

The SEC Championships continue Friday with the 200 butterfly, 100 backstroke, 100 breaststroke, men's platform, and 400 medley relay. The morning session opens at 9:30 a.m., followed by the evening session at 5:30 p.m. Both sessions will be streamed live on SEC Network+.

For all news and updates about Georgia swimming and diving, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter (@UGASwimDive), Instagram (@ugaswimdive), and Facebook (UGA Swimming and Diving).