Luca Urlando breaks American butterfly record in Georgia swim and dive’s win over Tennessee
Kira Doppel
Jan 27, 2025
On Saturday, Georgia fifth-year senior Luca Urlando set a new American, NCAA, U.S. Open, Southeastern Conference, and Georgia school record in the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 1:37.17, as the Georgia men’s swim and dive team earned a 155-144 win over Tennessee.
Urlando then broke his own school record in the 100-yard butterfly with a time 43.62. His previous time was 43.80.
“Unbelievable. He is an incredible man to coach,” said men’s swim and dive head coach Neil Versfeld. “To have him put a suit on here at the end of January and throw down an American Record, is very exciting.”
Urlando now holds the American record in both the 100 yard backstroke and 200 yard butterfly.
“Just immense gratitude for all the people that were there for me through injury. This has been a special event for me since I was young, so to have that record means a lot,” Urlando said.
The previous American record in the 200-yard butterfly was set by Texas’ Jack Conger, who swam a 1:37.35 at the 2017 NCAA Championships.
The Georgia men’s team secured eight wins, with sophomore Tomas Koski being the first to hit the wall in both the 200y and 500y freestyle. Junior Ruard van Renen secured back-to-back wins in the 100y and 200y backstroke.
On the women’s side, freshman Katie Belle Sikes placed second in the 50y freestyle with a personal best of 22.19. Helena Jones, a sophomore, took second in the 100y freestyle. The women’s team lost to Tennessee 209-91.
Junior Renato Calderaro made the podium in diving, finishing second on 1-meter. Sophomore Matthew Bray placed second on 3-meter and Ivy Buckley finished second and third on the 3 and 1-meter respectively. Buckley set a new personal best on the 3-meter with a score of 280.88.
The Bulldogs come back home next Saturday to host Emory at 11 a.m. at Bauerle Pool at Gabrielsen Natatorium for Senior Day. Before the meet, 23 Georgia seniors will be honored at 10:30 a.m.
