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Jordan Crooks becomes first swimmer from Cayman Islands to qualify for final

Tennessee swimmer Jordan Crooks becomes the first swimmer from Cayman Islands to qualify for an Olympic final.

Tennessee junior swimmer Jordan Crooks set a Cayman Islands national record on Thursday in the Paris Olympics.

Crooks recorded a personal-best time (21.51) in the 50m freestyle prelims, setting a Cayman Islands national record.

He then recorded a time of 21.54 in the semifinals to secure a spot in Friday’s 50m freestyle final.

Crooks also became the first swimmer from Cayman Islands to qualify for an Olympic final.

The 50m freestyle final is slated for 2:30 p.m. EDT on Friday.

During his first three seasons at Tennessee, Crooks has won one NCAA championship in the 50 freestyle and holds 21 SEC medals, including six gold.

Martin Espernberger breaks Austrian record at Olympics

Tennessee swimmer breaks Austrian record in 200-meter butterfly.

Tennessee swimmer Martin Espernberger set an Austrian record in the men’s 200-meter butterfly Wednesday at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

Espernberger, a rising junior for the Vols, finished sixth in the finals of the event. He recorded a time of 1 minute, 54.17 seconds. The mark was half a second off his previous personal best time.

With the record-breaking effort Wednesday, Espernberger concluded his first trip to the Olympics.

He won a bronze medal in 200-meter butterfly at the World Championships in February.

Espernberger, a native Linz, Austria, won a gold medal in the 200-meter butterfly at the 2024 SEC championships. He also owns two All-America certificates, winning one in 2023 and 2024.

Tennessee diving team earns two SEC annual awards

Dave Parrington and Bryden Hattie earn SEC annual awards.

Tennessee men’s diving earned two Southeastern Conference annual awards.

Vols’ diving coach Dave Parrington was named the conference’s Coach of the Year and Bryden Hattie was named SEC Male Diver of the Year.

Parrington was named SEC Coach of the Year for the 12th time and has earned the award more than any other coach since its inception in 1992. He has received the honor more than all other active coaches combined.

Hattie was named SEC Male Diver of the Year for a second consecutive season. He becomes the fifth athlete in conference history to be named Diver of the Year in consecutive seasons.

Hattie won the SEC championship on platform for a third time and also earned a bronze medal at the NCAA championships.

He was SEC Male Diver of the Week five times during the recently completed season.

Jordan Crooks, Camille Spink win medals at SEC Championships

Tennessee’s Jordan Crooks and Camille Spink win medals at SEC Championships.

Tennessee swimmers Jordan Crooks and Camille Spink won medals at the SEC Championships on Thursday.

Crooks won the 50m freestyle for the Vols and Spink captured the event for the Lady Vols.

Crooks won a bronze medal in the 200m freestyle, finishing the race in 1 minute, 31.17 seconds and setting a school record.

Spink finished second in the women’s 200m freestyle (1:42.37), the second fastest time in Lady Vols’ program history.

In the men’s 100m butterfly, Tennessee’s Harrison Lier finished fourth (45.40 seconds) setting a program record in the event.

The Vols and Lady Vols have combined to win 12 medals over the first four days of SEC Championships competition.

Liam Stone to compete in World Aquatics Championships

Former Vol Liam Stone to compete in World Aquatics Championships.

Former Tennessee diver Liam Stone will compete at the World Aquatics Championships.

The event will take place Feb. 3-10 in Doha, Qatar, and NBC Sports will televise portions of the meet. Stone will represent his home country of New Zealand and as Tennessee’s only representative in the diving portion of the event.

Stone competed for the Vols from 2014-18. He competed in the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, finishing No. 20 in the 3-meter and 3-meter synchronized competitions.

Tennessee will have 12 swimmers competing in Doha Feb. 11-18.

Stone will compete in the 3-meter synchronized competition Feb. 4 at 7:30 a.m. EST. He will also be in preliminaries of the 3-meter competition Feb. 6 at 2 a.m. EST.

The 3-meter synchronized will continue Feb. 10 at 5:30 a.m. EST.

Donde Plowman appointed to SEC’s executive committee

Tennessee’s Donde Plowman appointed to SEC’s executive committee.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Chancellor Donde Plowman will serve as vice president of the Southeastern Conference’s executive committee.

Plowman will begin a two-year term on July 1.

“It’s an honor to work alongside the chancellors and presidents in the SEC, who I know to be some of the country’s most thoughtful and capable leaders,” Plowman said in a press release. “I appreciate the opportunity to continue serving on the executive council in this new role and I look forward to the great work we will do together on behalf of our students, fans, and institutions.”

2023-24 Southeastern Conference executive committee:

Stuart Bell (Alabama), President

Donde Plowman (Tennessee), Vice President

Ron Rychlak (Ole Miss), Secretary

Mun Choi (Missouri)

Hunter Yurachek (Arkansas)

Ann Carr (Mississippi State)

Paul Batista (Texas A&M)

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Joe Hendee set for induction into Greater Knoxville Area Sports Hall of Fame

Longest tenured coach in UT history to be inducted into Greater Knoxville Area Sports Hall of Fame.

University of Tennessee’s longest tenured coach in its history will be inducted into the Greater Knoxville Area Sports Hall of Fame.

Joe Hendee, who died of cancer in 2011, was an assistant coach for the Vols’ swimming and diving teams, beginning his career as a graduate assistant.

During his tenure, Hendee coached under Ray Bussard and John Trembley. During that stint, Tennessee had a 177-32 dual meet record.

Hendee coached on three SEC championship teams and one national title team. He also coached three Olympic gold medalists and more than 100 All-America athletes.

Hendee was also a coach and manager for Team USA in many meets, including the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, California.

He was inducted into the Tennessee Swimming Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Greater Knoxville Area Interclub Swimming Association Hall of Fame in 2010.

The Greater Knoxville Area Sports Hall of Fame will host its induction ceremony Aug. 25.

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Marlon Walls, Powell set for 2022 season

Former Vol Marlon Walls and Powell set for 2022 season.

Former Vol Marlon Walls is coaching at Powell High School in Powell, Tennessee during the 2022 season.

He will serve as Powell’s associate head coach, while overseeing defensive ends.

Walls played on the Vols’ defensive line from 2009-13. He appeared in 40 games, starting six contests, at Tennessee.

Walls previously served as a head coach at St. Benedict High School in Cordova, Tennessee.

Powell will play Friday in the Knoxville Orthopedic Clinic Kickoff Classic at Hardin Valley Academy against Bearden High School (Knoxville, Tennessee) in a one-quarter game.

Powell will open regular season play Aug. 18 at Anderson County. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EDT.

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Former Vols’ kicker discusses West-Bearden match

Former Vols’ kicker discusses the West-Bearden match.

Former Tennessee kicker Alex Walls is serving as head soccer coach at West High School in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Walls, who played at Tennessee from 1999-2002, guided West to the District 3-AAA Tournament championship, the Rebels’ first league tournament title since 2009.

West opened the Region 2-AAA Tournament with a 3-1 victory over Maryville High School (Maryville, Tennessee) May 17. West lost 1-0 to Bearden High School (Knoxville, Tennessee) in extra time Thursday.

The game was scoreless until Bearden’s Lucas Nordin scored in the 188th minute of the match.

It was the Bulldogs’ third consecutive overtime victory against West in the playoffs.

“This one was tough,” Walls said. “You play great soccer for 98 minutes and you give up a goal. It was a great goal, so I don’t want to take anything away from it.

“This is the third (postseason) game that we’ve had go to overtime against them. You had the district championship last year and the region championship last year, and now, you have this one.”

West will play Dobyns-Bennett High School (Kingsport, Tennessee) Saturday at 7 p.m. EDT.

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Notable University of Tennessee alumni

Notable alumni throughout history of the University of Tennessee.

The University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee was founded in 1794.

Throughout its history, notable individuals have earned degrees at the University of Tennessee.

UT Values

Traditions: We believe in Tennessee. We cherish the university’s rich and vibrant history and enhance its reputation.
Collaboration: We build relationships and strong partnerships to advance the university.
Integrity: We maintain the highest level of accountability through honest and transparent interactions.
Inclusion: We value diversity and welcome alternative perspectives in all we do.
Innovation: We continuously improve, create, and boldly strive for excellence in our work.

Vols Wire looks at notable alumni and attendees throughout the history of the University of Tennessee. Information pertaining to alumni and attendees are from Volopedia, University of Tennessee Digital Encyclopedia, and UTK Alumni.