Indianapolis, IN. – The Kentucky swimming program proved themselves on the nation’s largest stage today while competing at the 2025 Toyota USA National Championships. It was the rising junior Carson Hick smashing the school record with a fourth-place finish and rising senior Levi Sandidge finishing in eighth in the 1500m freestyle that showed the elite status for the Wildcats.

The Kentucky Wildcats were the only university to be represented by two individuals on the last night of the event, the A Final of the 1500m freestyle. Hick and Sandidge, who have dominated the event repeatedly on the collegiate stage, held nothing back in debatably the greatest performances of their individual careers.

Hick, the new school record holder in the 1500m freestyle, had a breakout sophomore year. He finished fourth in the mile at the 2025 SEC Championships and sixth at the 2025 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championship. In Tuesday’s mile swim he recorded an impressive 15:05.87 record for the blue and white.

Sandidge did well similarly this entire past season, finishing second in the mile at the 2025 SEC Championships for his third career SEC medal in the event and eighth once again at the 2025 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championship. His time of 15:16.40 at USA Nationals shows the prestige and consistency that he has shown throughout his three years at Kentucky so far.

While Hick and Sandidge highlighted the day with their A final appearances, it was rising seniors Maddy Hartley and Ryan Merani who also came up with big swims on Tuesday.

Hartley competed in her lone event of the week, the 200 butterfly. Her time of 2:17.38 put her outside the finals, but provided a boost of confidence and experience, nonetheless.

Merani, a 2025 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championship qualifier, competed in the 200 butterfly as well. During prelims he swam a C final qualifying time of 1:59.73. During the finals he finished second in his heat with an improved time of 1:59.02. Merani finished 26th in this event at the NCAA Championships this past March.

These individuals train side by side every day, which has contributed to the friendly competition and success that we have seen among the Wildcats most recently. The Wildcats will continue to compete in several other events throughout the week while they are in Indianapolis. Competition will begin at 10 a.m. ET each day. To follow along the meet this week click here for live results or tune in to the finals at 7 p.m. ET.

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