SEC Weekly Preview: Tennessee-Florida Showdown Looms Large

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With the dual meet season winding down, it is the last full meet weekend in the SEC.

The biggest meet in the conference will by far be Tennessee at Florida.

It will nearly be two top 10 battles. The Tennessee women are ranked No. 13, while Florida is No. 8. For the men, Florida is ranked No. 6 and Tennessee is No. 9.

What makes this meet even more interesting is this showdown could be a preview of what could happen at the SEC Championships.

The Florida men have won the past six SEC titles, but Tennessee has closed the gap and could be making some noise at the conference meet this year.

The same chance, perhaps an even bigger chance, at claiming an SEC title is there for the Tennessee women as well — and Florida — giving the women’s meet a little extra impact.

Tennessee has never won the women’s SEC title, and for Florida, it has been since 2009 on the women’s side.

But the Volunteers have Erika Brown, Stanzi Moseley and Meghan Small leading a group on a mission.

Meanwhile, Florida’s Sherridon Dressel has been swimming her best in season and is looking to lead the Gators into the SEC Championships on a roll.

In the men’s meet, Tennessee’s Kyle DeCoursey and Florida’s Maxime Rooney could have some strong races and will be key figures this weekend and into the SEC Championships.

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Photo Courtesy: Dan D’Addona

Generally the impact meets in the SEC have involved Florida, Georgia and Auburn — and on the women’s side, Texas A&M since the Aggies joined the SEC — but this is a refreshing development and puts a new spin on the Tennessee-Florida rivalry.

Check out complete SEC coverage here.

Other meets to watch for

In a regional battle on Friday, Kentucky will swim at Cincinnati.

On Saturday, Kansas will swim at Arkansas, Georgia will host Emory and Arkansas-Little Rock will swim at Vanderbilt.

On Thursday-Saturday, South Carolina will compete at the Virginia Tech invite. On Friday-Saturday, LSU will host Rice and Houston.

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