The Vanderbilt swimming team lost to the University of Florida 180-75 on Sept. 29, 2023 at the Centennial Sportsplex in Nashville, Tenn. The dual meet marked the first time Vanderbilt and Florida competed since Jan. 3, 2020.
The Commodores will hope to build on their solid performances from the 2022-23 season, such as Faith Knelson and Mercedes Traba breaking multiple school records. Vanderbilt’s roster contains nine returning players and will look to achieve historic school records again this season.
Vanderbilt fell short to the Gators on Friday but has many strong moments to build on. Knelson brought her strong play from last season into the Commodores’ first meet, winning the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:03.48. Kailia Utley also had a strong day, coming in first place in the 100-yard butterfly and 200-yard butterfly, respectively.
“We were able to knock off some rust, so it was a really good start to the season,” head coach Jeremy Organ said. “The overall competitiveness of the group showed, we really did a good job of racing today. That was one of the things that impressed us the most, that our compete level is maybe a little further ahead of where you expect it to be at the start of the season.”
Vanderbilt star swimmer Sophia Kosturos moved into the 10th place of Vanderbilt’s all-time performer list, thanks to having a time of 55.90 in the 100-yard backstroke. Olivia Solimine, Grace Ciaramitaro, Liv Gooding, Kate Heintz, Madelyn Porter and Bailey Ratzburg had memorable days as well, making their collegiate debuts.
The Commodores will return to action on Oct. 28 at 11:30 a.m. CDT with a meet against Iowa in Nashville, Tenn.
