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The University of Kentucky has added three more international swimmers to its 2026 women’s recruiting class: Valeria Tarin of Mexico, Gabrielle Idle-Beavers of England and Yasmin Silva of Peru.

Tarin currently trains with Desert Dragons in Chihuahua, where she excels at the shorter distances of free, back and fly. She competed at the 2025 World Junior Championships (LCM), racing the 50 free (26.80), 50 back (31.12) and 100 back (1:07.62). A four-time junior national champion, Tarin has also qualified for the Pan Pacific Junior Championships and was a top three finisher in multiple events at the Mexican National Championships.

Tarin posted a series of strong performances at the 2026 Arena Elite Championships (LCM) in April, logging lifetime bests in three events. She won the 100 back (1:05.33 – PB) and 50 fly (28.77 – SB) and placed 3rd in the 50 free (26.37 – PB), 6th in the 100 free (57.85 – PB) and 10th in the 50 back (30.97 – SB).

Best Times LCM (SCY Conversion)

• 50 free – 26.37 (23.03)
• 100 free – 57.85 (50.67)
• 100 back – 1:05.33 (57.77)
• 50 fly – 28.30 (24.86)

Idle-Beavers will head to Kentucky from England, where she represents Mount Kelly Swimming and primarily specializes in breast and IM. She most recently competed at the AP Race International Meet (LCM) in April, which saw her contest the 50 breast (31.84) and 100 breast (1:08.69 – PB).

At the 2026 Sheffield Premier Open Meet (LCM) in March, Idle-Beavers clocked a handful of personal best performances. She raced the 50 free (26.49 – PB), 100 free (58.05), 50 back (30.89 – PB), 50 breast (31.60 – PB), 100 breast (1:09.67) and 200 IM (2:22.21). Earlier in the season, she set a personal best time of 2:20.72 in the 200 IM at the Arena Lisbon International Meeting.

Best Times LCM (SCY Conversion)

• 50 breast – 31.60 (27.56)
• 100 breast – 1:08.69 (1:00.08)
• 200 IM – 2:20.72 (2:03.89)

Another 2025 World Junior Championships qualifier, Silva represents the Peruvian Swimming Federation and swims for Streamline Club in Trujillo, primarily specializing in fly and IM. She recently competed in the 2026 Mare Nostrum Swim Tour (LCM), which was highlighted by a lifetime best performance in the 200 fly (2:11.86) at the stop in Canet-en-Roussillon.

At the 2025 National Senior Championship (LCM) in December, Silva posted a series of strong performances. She won the 100 fly (1:03.26), 200 fly (2:20.15) and 400 IM (5:09.51 – SB) and took 2nd in the 400 free (4:38.04 – PB) and 200 back (2:30.50), 3rd in the 50 fly (28.73) and 200 IM (2:30.79), 4th in the 800 free (9:35.58 – PB) and 1500 free (18:21.92 – PB) and 5th in the 100 back (1:10.92). She also set a best time of 1:02.79 in the 100 free as the leadoff on the 400 free relay.

Best Times LCM (SCY Conversion)

• 100 fly – 1:01.47 (54.11)
• 200 fly – 2:11.86 (1:56.27)
• 200 IM – 2:26.47 (2:09.07)
• 400 IM – 5:03.97 (4:28.08)

A Division I program, Kentucky competes in the Southeastern Conference, with the women’s team finishing 12th at the 2026 SEC Championships in February. Three athletes went on to compete at the NCAA Division I Women’s Championships, but they did not score any points in the team standings.

The three international recruits will bring added depth to the Wildcats across the board, and are currently poised to be some of the team’s top competitors in their top events based on their projected converted times.

Tarin, Idle-Beavers and Silva will join Allie Joyce, Quinn Schureck and Karrington Hansen in Kentucky’s class of 2030.

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Maybe you sensed the tides changing toward beef and buns during the first seconds of July 1.

As soon as midnight struck, gone were the days of National Iced Tea Month or National Candy Month, both observed in June, the same month that hosts National Doughnut Day.

It’s July now, and that means National Hot Dog Month is here to stay for 31 days.

Louisville is home to plenty of hot dog joints, whether they serve classics with a $3 price tag or gourmet glizzies topped with unlikely ingredients such as wild arugula or a fried mac-and-cheese ball.

More: How Eastern Kentucky hot dogs tell a uniquely American story

To kick off National Hot Dog Month and ahead of National Hot Dog Day on July 15, here are 15 of the best spots, presented in alphabetical order, to grab a hot dog in Louisville.

Did we miss your favorite? Send a note to ahancock@courier-journal.com.

Where to get hot dogs in Louisville, Ky.

This Schnitzleburg neighborhood favorite, which has been open for more than 60 years, is a go-to spot for a classic one-quarter pound grilled hot dog. Or you can upgrade to the knife-and-fork production of the Check’s Chili Cheese Dog, a grilled hot dog topped with its famous chili and cheddar cheese, served smothered on a bun ($11.99).

Details: 1101 E. Burnett Ave., Louisville, Ky., Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday, noon to 10 p.m., checkscafe.com

This Louisville staple has been around since 1951 and serves a variety of milkshakes, sundaes, hand-dipped ice cream cones, soft-serve ice cream and smoothies. Specialty treats include a funnel fry sundae, banana split, s’mores parfait and hot fudge cake. A whole section of the menu is dedicated to hot dogs, Polish sausages, and brats, which start at just $2.25.

Details: 1516 S. Shelby St., Louisville, Ky., daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., facebook.com/DairyDel/

You’ll get a sweet sense of nostalgia at this walk-up spot that’s been soft serve royalty for 40 years in Louisville. Along with treats like sundaes, flurries and milkshakes, hot dogs are a hit at Dairy Kastle. You’ll find a regular hot dog, along with a chili dog, bratwurst, a vegan dog and a taco-in-a-bag.

Details: 575 Eastern Parkway, Louisville, Ky., Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; closed Monday, dairykastle.com