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Nikoli Blackman stood out for the University of Tennessee on Friday at the Lee and Joe Jamil Texas Swimming Center, playing a key role in the Vols’ relay success and producing a strong individual finish in a difficult dual meet against top-ranked Texas. Blackman teamed with seniors Gui Caribe, Pedro Sansone and freshman Kamal Muhammad to win the Men’s 200-yard freestyle relay, the quartet touching in one minute, 16.19 seconds. That time is the seventh-fastest in programme history, and the victory—one of three relay wins for Caribe on the night—provided a bright spot for Tennessee in Austin. Individually, Blackman continued that momentum in the 100 free, finishing second behind Caribe. The result placed him on the podium in a high-quality field and complemented his contribution to the relay earlier in the session. The dual meet overall proved a tough assignment for the Vols. The women’s team, ranked No. 4, fell to No. 2 Texas 51–135, while the men were defeated 65–120. Despite the scoreline, several Tennessee swimmers registered notable performances. Caribe captured the 50 and 100 free, and freshman Gabe Nunziata produced a standout time in the 200 breaststroke (1:53.62), good for the fifth-fastest mark in programme history. On the Men’s side, Koby Bujak-Upton also posted a top-ten programme time in the 200 free (1:33.45). Other individual highlights for Tennessee included Martin Espernberger winning the 200 butterfly and Muhammad earning podium finishes in his Vols debut in the 100 fly and on relay teams. On the Women’s side, Ella Jansen recorded a 1:43.48 in the 200 free (the programme’s tenth-fastest), and Camille Spink opened her season with a win in the 50 free. Tennessee return to Knoxville to host Louisville and Auburn next week on Thursday. For Blackman, the pair of performances in Austin—a relay victory that ranks among the programme’s best and a solid individual podium in the 100 free—gives him and the coaching staff positive takeaways to build on as the season moves into conference competition.
