University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Tony Walsh/UGAAA
Sates Named SEC Freshman Swimmer of the Year
April 13, 2022 | Swimming & Diving
ATHENS, Ga. – Following an NCAA Championship and two SEC gold medals in just two months of action, freshman Matthew Sates was named the 2021-22 SEC Men's Freshman Swimmer of the Year Wednesday morning, as announced by the league office in Birmingham.
Sates, a native of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, joined Georgia's roster in January and immediately made an impact on the Bulldogs, helping them finish eighth at last month's NCAA Championships while earning five CSCAA All-America citations in the process. In Atlanta, Sates won the national title in the 500 freestyle with a meet and school record time of 4:06.61, followed by a third-place finish in the 200 freestyle. He also led off the second-place 800 freestyle relay that set an SEC-record time of 6:05.59 in the top men's NCAA relay finish in program history.
At the SEC Championships, Sates earned two gold medals in the 200 and 500 freestyle, along with silvers in the 200 butterfly and 800 freestyle relay. Prior to NCAAs, he posted A-cuts in the 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle, and 200 butterfly, while also notching B-cuts in the 100 freestyle, 200 IM, and 400 IM. He was also named SEC Men's Co-Freshman of the Week on Feb. 1 after earning a win in the 200 freestyle in his debut against Emory. Following his first season in Athens, Sates holds school records in four events (200 free, 500 free, 400 free relay, 800 free relay) and ranks top-10 in four others.
Sates is the 21st Bulldog in program history to be named SEC Freshman Swimmer or Diver of the Year, as well as the third-consecutive student-athlete to receive the honor, joining teammates Zoie Hartman (2020) and Jake Magahey (2021).
Sates was joined on the First Team All-SEC by sophomore Luca Urlando, who received the SEC Commissioner's Trophy and Men's Swimmer of the Meet awards after winning three league titles at SECs. Urlando followed that performance up with a remarkable outing at NCAAs, highlighted by an American record of 43.35 in the 100 backstroke to lead off the 400 medley relay. The Sacramento native finished second in both butterflies and the 800 freestyle relay, along with a third-place finish in the 200 IM, eventually earning a full seven All-America citations. During NCAAs, Urlando dropped seven school record swims, leaving the meet with top program marks in nine events.
With top-three finishes at SECs, 10 Bulldogs were named to the Second Team All-SEC. Senior Andrew Abruzzo, juniors Ian Grum and Zach Hils, and sophomore Magahey were named to the men's roster, while seniors Callie Dickinson and Dakota Luther, junior Hartman, sophomore Maxine Parker, and freshmen Duné Coetzee and Abby McCulloh were recognized on the women's side.
Coetzee, McCulloh, and Sates were also joined by fellow rookies Angharad Evans and Eboni McCarty on the SEC All-Freshman Team. The Freshman Team consists of any redshirt or true freshman who reaches the Championship Final at SECs or is the highest-scoring freshman in prelims.
For all news and updates about Georgia swimming and diving, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter (@UGASwimDive), Instagram (@ugaswimdive), and Facebook (UGA Swimming and Diving).
Sates, a native of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, joined Georgia's roster in January and immediately made an impact on the Bulldogs, helping them finish eighth at last month's NCAA Championships while earning five CSCAA All-America citations in the process. In Atlanta, Sates won the national title in the 500 freestyle with a meet and school record time of 4:06.61, followed by a third-place finish in the 200 freestyle. He also led off the second-place 800 freestyle relay that set an SEC-record time of 6:05.59 in the top men's NCAA relay finish in program history.
At the SEC Championships, Sates earned two gold medals in the 200 and 500 freestyle, along with silvers in the 200 butterfly and 800 freestyle relay. Prior to NCAAs, he posted A-cuts in the 200 freestyle, 500 freestyle, and 200 butterfly, while also notching B-cuts in the 100 freestyle, 200 IM, and 400 IM. He was also named SEC Men's Co-Freshman of the Week on Feb. 1 after earning a win in the 200 freestyle in his debut against Emory. Following his first season in Athens, Sates holds school records in four events (200 free, 500 free, 400 free relay, 800 free relay) and ranks top-10 in four others.
Sates is the 21st Bulldog in program history to be named SEC Freshman Swimmer or Diver of the Year, as well as the third-consecutive student-athlete to receive the honor, joining teammates Zoie Hartman (2020) and Jake Magahey (2021).
Sates was joined on the First Team All-SEC by sophomore Luca Urlando, who received the SEC Commissioner's Trophy and Men's Swimmer of the Meet awards after winning three league titles at SECs. Urlando followed that performance up with a remarkable outing at NCAAs, highlighted by an American record of 43.35 in the 100 backstroke to lead off the 400 medley relay. The Sacramento native finished second in both butterflies and the 800 freestyle relay, along with a third-place finish in the 200 IM, eventually earning a full seven All-America citations. During NCAAs, Urlando dropped seven school record swims, leaving the meet with top program marks in nine events.
With top-three finishes at SECs, 10 Bulldogs were named to the Second Team All-SEC. Senior Andrew Abruzzo, juniors Ian Grum and Zach Hils, and sophomore Magahey were named to the men's roster, while seniors Callie Dickinson and Dakota Luther, junior Hartman, sophomore Maxine Parker, and freshmen Duné Coetzee and Abby McCulloh were recognized on the women's side.
Coetzee, McCulloh, and Sates were also joined by fellow rookies Angharad Evans and Eboni McCarty on the SEC All-Freshman Team. The Freshman Team consists of any redshirt or true freshman who reaches the Championship Final at SECs or is the highest-scoring freshman in prelims.
For all news and updates about Georgia swimming and diving, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter (@UGASwimDive), Instagram (@ugaswimdive), and Facebook (UGA Swimming and Diving).
Players Mentioned
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