July 5, 2009

Sunday marked the first day of swimming competition at the 2009 World University Summer Games in Belgrade, Serbia. On the first day, all three Vol swimmers at the games competed.

The first Vol to swim in the games was UT redshirt freshman Ryan Harrison. With a year of collegiate training under his belt, Harrison displayed the effectiveness of the Big Orange program as he dove into his first international competition. Swimming for Ireland, Harrison finished 22nd in the 400-meter freestyle against some of the world's fastest swimmers. With a 3:57.98 mark, Harrison gains valuable competitive experience that will come back to Knoxville with him.

Outgoing team co-captain Barry Murphy and rising-junior Mattias Kahlin both competed in the 100m breaststroke. Murphy, a seasoned international athlete, placed 19th at 1:02.21. Murphy is also a member of the Irish team. Kahlin, like Harrison was making his international debut at the World University Games. Representing Sweden, Kahlin placed 42nd with a 1:05.18 time.

In the first relay of the games, Murphy and Harrison teamed up to lead Ireland's 4x100m freestyle relay quartet. The pair led off the team and aided Ireland's ninth-place finish with a time of 3.22.63.

On day one of competition, no Vols made the final heats of their respective events.

Follow these three Volunteers as the represent the Big Orange at the World University Games by logging onto http://www.universiade-belgrade2009.org.