Without Coach Arthur Albiero due to COVID-19 Protocol, Louisville Downs Missouri

Mitchell Whyte; Photo Courtesy: Jeff Reinking/Louisville Athletics

Competing without coach Arthur Albiero due to COVID-19 contract tracing protocols, the Louisville men’s swimming team defeated Missouri, 199-101, Friday.

The women’s teams competed in an unscored meet at the Ralph Wright Natatorium.

“It was definitely a different experience to watch the meet from my computer at home due to the quarantine,” Albiero said in a Louisville release. “Major props to our coaching staff who got the team ready to compete today. There were plenty of highlights on both the women’s meet and the men’s meet and it was great to see a number of swimmers stepping up and performing well for the team in crucial moments.”

Neither of Arthur’s children, freshman Gabi Albiero and senior Nick Albiero, competed in the meet, though their absences were not noted in the releases.

The Cardinals bookended the men’s meet with 1-2 relay finishes. The squad of Mitchell Whyte, Evgenii Somov, Dalton Lowe and Haridi Sameh won the 200 medley relay in 1:25.07 to start. The meet ended with Michael Eastman, Sameh, Tanner Cummings and Somov clocking in at 2:53.92.

Whyte dominated the 100 and 200 backstroke, Sameh was quickest in the 50 free in 19.88 and Lowe claimed the 100 butterfly.

Hayden Curley tallied big points by winning the 1,650 and 500 free. Colton Paulson won the 200 free in a 1-2 with Eastman, the winner of the 100 free with Sameh second. Daniel Pinto won both diving events for the Cardinals.

“I am proud of the way the men raced and used today as a step in the process toward the postseason,” said Chris Lindauer, the Louisville assistant who coached in Albiero’s place. “We took advantage of every opportunity. We had positive team energy and won the small details which was what led us to a great team win today.”

Missouri biggest success came in breaststroke. Ben Patton outdueled Somov to win the 100 before claiming the 200 individual medley, and Will Goodwin claimed the 200 breast. Luke Davis won the 200 fly and was second to Lowe in the 100 fly.

In the women’s meet, Louisville’s Abby Hay won the 200 IM and the 200 fly. Kaylee Wheeler (100 breast) and Alena Kraus (200 free) paired a relay win with an individual triumph. Assistant coach Stephanie Juncker oversaw the women’s team in Albiero’s absence.

Missouri’s Jane Smith won the 1,000 and 500 free, and teammate Sarah Rousseau swept the diving events.

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