NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After breaking eight school records last season at the 2015 SEC Championships, the Commodores are thrilled to hop back in the pool for another season of success. The 2016 schedule features three home meets at Centennial Sportsplex.
Vandy welcomes back several sophomores who made immediate impacts on the team in their debut seasons by breaking five freshman and Vanderbilt school records.
The junior class helped establish four records of their own with Carrie Bencic and Kayla Moranleading the way for VU.
Breaking two individual records in the 50 free (23.27) and 200 free (1:48.81) as well as three relay records (200 free, 400 free and 800 free relays) in 2015, lone senior Hannah Martin has the focus and ability to have another breakout season to round off her Commodore career.
Martin and the rest of the Vandy swim team face several challenging opponents throughout the 2016 season. With no time to waste, the `Dores first home meet could be one of their biggest tests of the season, as SEC foe Florida comes to Centennial on Oct. 8th for the first meet of the season.
“We’re really excited to host Florida in our opener,” said head coach Jeremy Organ. “A lot of the girls trained very hard over the summer so we’re looking forward to racing!”
Following their home opener, the `Dores hit the west coast for a tri meet in San Diego, Calif. against San Diego State and Oregon State. One day later the `Dores continue their west coast tour, taking on the University of San Diego Toreros at 12:00 pm CT.
Vanderbilt continues its stretch of road tests for four more competitions, traveling first to New Orleans, La. to face the Tulane Green Wave; a familiar foe who VU defeated at home last season 178-109. VU then heads east, to Buies Creek, N.C., where the Commodores are slated to compete against the Campbell University Camels. Last season Vanderbilt defeated the CU 207-54 in its 2015 home opener.
Dec. 4th-6th the `Dores will compete in Athens, Ga. at the Georgia Fall Invitational, a three-day meet which will showcase some of the best collegiate teams in the southeast. Several SEC teams will be in Bulldog country, helping Vanderbilt gear up for the SEC Championships.
Following winter break, the `Dores hop back in the pool in Little Rock, Ark. as they swim against the University of Arkansas – Little Rock. The Trojans will be looking for a rematch as Vanderbilt played host to UALR last season, coming out victorious 213-45.
Before SEC Champs the Commodores swim against three conference opponents in South Carolina, Arkansas and Missouri.
Heading to Nashville for the first time in four years, the Gamecocks finished just ahead of VU at last year’s SEC Championships. The `Dores are on the road again for their last two conference meets, taking on Arkansas in Fayetteville and the Tigers in Columbia, Mo. on Jan. 28th.
“Being able to swim Mizzou prior to sec champs is a benefit for sure,” said Organ. “Getting a chance to see and compete in their pool will go a long way in preparation for the championships.”
Vanderbilt will conclude its regular season at home honoring its senior leader, Hannah Martin. Taking on Marshall and North Florida, VU hopes to finish its last meet on a high note before conference championships.
From Feb. 16th-20th the `Dores will be back in Columbia, Mo. making waves at the 2016 SEC Championships. Competing against some of the top teams and best swimmers in the country, the Commodores hold a tradition of breaking multiple Vanderbilt records at this event.
Vandy hits one last meet before heading to NCAA Championships. Known as the “Last Chance Meet”, the Commodores are encouraged to push themselves to the limit in an attempt to finish with an NCAA qualifying time.
This year’s NCAA Championships will be held in Atlanta, Ga. and hosted by Georgia Tech. This three day tournament beings March 17th and concludes on the 19th.
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2015-2016 SCHEDULE
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| Date | Opponent / Event | Location | Time / Result |
| 10/08/15 | vs. Florida | Nashville, Tenn. | TBA |
| 10/15/15 | at San Diego State | San Diego, Calif. | TBA |
| 10/16/15 | at San Diego | San Diego, Calif. | 12:00 p.m. CT |
| 10/24/15 | at Tulane | New Orleans, La. | 11:00 a.m. CT |
| 11/14/15 | at Campbell | Buies Creek, N.C. | 11:00 a.m. CT |
| Georgia Fall Invitational | |||
| 12/04/15 | Georgia Fall Invitational | Athens, Ga. | TBA |
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| 12/05/15 | Georgia Fall Invitational | Athens, Ga. | TBA |
| 12/06/15 | Georgia Fall Invitational | Athens, Ga. | TBA |
| 01/16/16 | vs. South Carolina | Nashville, Tenn. | TBA |
| 01/22/16 | Arkansas/Houston | Fayetteville, Ark. | TBA |
| 01/23/16 | Arkansas/Houston | Fayetteville, Ark. | TBA |
| 01/28/16 | at Missouri | Columbia, Mo. | TBA |
| 01/30/16 | Marshall/North Florida | Nashville, Tenn. | TBA |
| SEC Championships | |||
| 02/16/16 | SEC Championships | Columbia, Mo. | TBA |
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| 02/17/16 | SEC Championships | Columbia, Mo. | TBA |
| 02/18/16 | SEC Championships | Columbia, Mo. | TBA |
| 02/19/16 | SEC Championships | Columbia, Mo. | TBA |
| 02/20/16 | SEC Championships | Columbia, Mo. | TBA |
| 03/19/16 | NCAA Championships | Atlanta, Ga. | TBA |
Swimming news courtesy of Vanderbilt Swimming & Diving.