Crooks awarded Southeastern Swimmer of the Year

Caymanian swimmer Jordan Crooks earned the Southeastern Conference Swimmer of the Year recognition, becoming the fourth University of Tennessee Volunteer to win the award and the first since Michael Gilliam received it in 2001. 

Crooks, a Sophomore at UT enjoyed one of the best swimming seasons in his school’s history. His efforts earned him the top conference honor as the 2023 SEC Swimmer of the Year. 

Crooks, 20, won the 50 free at the NCAA Championships, SEC Championships and Short Course World Championships since December. His top time in the event was a 17.93 effort, which marked the second-fastest time in NCAA history as he became only the second swimmer ever to swim under 18 seconds in the 50 free. 

After bringing home gold in the 100 free and silver in the 100 fly at SECs, Crooks became the first Vol to ever win SEC Swimmer of the Meet, and he was also Co-Commissioner’s Trophy winner as the highest points scorer.  

He was the first Vol since Ricky Busquets in 1996 to sweep the sprint freestyles at conference championships. The First Team All-SEC selection also led Tennessee relays to a pair of golds (400 free relay and 200 medley relay) and two silvers (200 free relay and 400 medley relay) during the meet. During the 200-medley relay, he swam the fastest 50 fly split (18.90) in NCAA history. 

At the NCAA Championships, Crooks earned All-America First Team status in seven different events at the NCAA Championships, finishing first in the 50 free, fifth in the 100 fly, tied for fifth in 100 free, fourth in 200 free relay, sixth in the 200 medley relay, sixth in 400 medley relay and seventh in 400 free relay. The last Tennessee swimmer to achieve the accomplishment of three individual top-8 finishes and seven combined All-America First Team honors in the same meet was Gilliam in 2001. He was also the last swimmer to win an individual national title for UT prior to Crooks. 

The five-time SEC Swimmer of the Week’s best times from the season were 17.93 in the 50 free, 40.92 in the 100 free and 44.04 in the 100 fly—all of which are Tennessee records. Overall, he won 17 races throughout the year.