Cardinals Complete Day 1 at Louisville Invitational

February 05, 2026 | Swimming & Diving

By: Nancy Worley

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- On the first day of the Louisville Invitational, Louisville, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt swimmers vied for the final spots on the Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference Championship squads Friday morning at the Ralph Wright Natatorium.

Thursday Finals
In the 500 freestyle finals, UofL's Amelia Bodenstab dropped 5.44 seconds to win in 4:47.85. Kayden Lancaster won the men's 500 free, setting a meet record when he turned in a 4:20.57. Owen Stevens touched second in 4:23.55 for the Cardinals.

In the 50 free, Ethan Chauliaguet clocked in at 19.63.

In the men's 100 breaststroke, Grant Gooding was first into the wall with a 53.20 for the win. Ryder Hicks was second (54.07) and Rob Ehrenborg was third (56.80).

The 200 backstroke, UofL freshman Sadie Murphy clocked in at 1:58.03. UK's Fernanda De Goeij won with an NCAA cut of 1:53.59. Drew Collins won the men's event with a 1:43.31 and Nate Thomas was right behind in 1:43.90.

In the 100 free, Bryan Lombardi turned in the winning time of 43.77.

Sophie Rodriguez went 2:02.25 in the 200 fly for the win.

Thursday Prelims
Louisville highlights included Amelia Bodenstab's win in the 500 free, when she boarded a 4:53.29. Kayden Lancaster fell just short of a meet record in the men's 500 free when he stopped the clock at 4:21.35, just .23 off the pool record set by Eli Shoyat in 2022. Owen Stevens put up a 4:30.13 for second.Thurs

In the 200 back Drew Collins won by posting a 1:43.31 and Nate Thomas was second in 1:44.19. In the women's 200 back, Sadie Murphy was second in 1:58.22 just behind UK's Fernanda De Goeij, who set a meet record of 1:54.14.

In the 100 breaststroke, Grant Gooding was first, hitting the wall in 53.30 with Ryder Hicks touching second in 54.13 and Rob Ehrenborg was third, checking in at 56.44.