Men's swimming takes down No. 3 Florida, women's team falls short
The Auburn swimming and diving teams traveled to Gainesville, Florida to take on the Gators in a battle of some top ranked programs.
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The Auburn swimming and diving teams traveled to Gainesville, Florida to take on the Gators in a battle of some top ranked programs.
The Auburn women's swimming and diving team took down Arkansas on Friday in an SEC dual meet.
Senior diver Fraser McKean received the Male Diver of the Year Award, the Southeastern Conference office announced Tuesday, April 14.
Six former Auburn swimmers and program coaches were inducted into the Auburn Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame as the Class of 2015 on Saturday, April 11, at Auburn Arena.
Auburn junior swimmer Annie Lazor was honored with a spot on the USA Swimming roster for the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Canada, Wednesday, April 1.
Auburn finished eighth after the first day of the 2015 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships in Iowa City, Iowa, Thursday, March 26.
Women’s swimming and diving team wrapped up the NCAA Championships Saturday, March 21, at the Greensboro Aquatic Center.
Twelve athletes (10 swimmers and two divers) punched their ticket to compete in the 2015 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships March 26-28 in Iowa City, Iowa.
Senior Fraser McKean and junior Justin Youtsey qualified to compete on the 1-meter springboard at the 2015 NCAA Men’s Championships Monday at the NCAA Zone B Diving Championships at the Gabrielsen Natatorium.
The Tigers hadn’t won an individual or relay event all week until the fifth and final session of the SEC Swimming and Diving Championships Saturday, Feb. 21, at the James E. Martin Aquatics Center.
Auburn’s swimming and diving team paced through the second day of the conference championships after earning 13 swims in prelims Wednesday, Feb. 18, for the second day of finals at the James E. Martin Aquatics Center.
Fraser McKean held a strong handstand for roughly four seconds before he strategically pushed off the platform and fell into the acrobatic flips that earned him the men’s title in platform diving at the 2015 SEC Swimming and Diving Championships.
Auburn's swimming and diving team is looking to uphold the deep tradition of No.1 rankings and championships at the 2015 SEC Championships at the James E. Aquatics Center this week. The Tigers looked like they could do just that at times Tuesday, Feb. 17, but conference rivals didn't make it easy for their hosts. After day one of the five-day meet, Auburn's men are in first place with 177 points and the women's team is tied for eighth with Alabama at 105 points. Junior Justin Youtsey, senior Fraser McKean and freshman Pete Turnham started out the competition with the 1-meter springboard. Although the Tigers didn't have an individual score in the top five, the divers finished with the most team points through the first event with 69. Youtsey recorded a season-best score of 329.85, good enough for sixth place. McKean and Turnham finished close behind the junior in seventh and eighth. "We started off with diving and it really set us up for the day," said coach Brett Hawke. "Getting three up on the men's side was huge. It just gives the team confidence starting a meet already knowing you're in the lead. Those guys did an outstanding job." Junior Jillian Vitarius, sophomore Natasha Lloyd, senior Megan Fonteno and sophomore Allyx Purcell finished third in the women's 200 medley, only .59 seconds off the school record, while the men's team finished fourth in the same event. Freshman Hugo Morris led the way for Auburn's men in the 800 freestyle relay as he broke the school record in the 200 free with a leadoff split of 1:33.39. Anchored by sophomore Joe Patching, the Tigers finished second behind Florida, who broke the SEC record in the event, touching in at 6:12.85.The top four teams finished with the fastest times in the nation and the top six teams were automatic NCAA qualifying times in the event. "To come back and see Rowdy Gaines' record go down in the 200 free after all these years was great, especially since it happened on Rowdy's birthday," Hawke said. "It was an outstanding performance by those four guys in the 800 free relay, especially Hugo Morris." Auburn's women finished 11th in their 800 medley relay and the final event of the evening as Georgia took the crown with a time of 6:55.69, the fastest time in the nation this year. "We were strong in the 200 medley relay, but we are a little conservative in some of our change overs which cost us," Hawke said.
Auburn is hosting the SEC Swimming and Diving Championships at the James E. Martin Aquatics Center for the first time in six years Feb. 17-21. It will be a closely contested competition, as the Tigers face the best teams in the conference to move on to national championships. "The SEC is very deep in swimming this year," said head coach Brett Hawke. "I think it is the deepest conference in the country. A lot of quality athletes. There is going to be some really fast swimming this week." On the men's side, Auburn has won 16 straight conference championships from 1997-2012. Hawke said the Tigers want to uphold the history of the program and compete as hard as they can for every athlete that has ever come through Auburn. Two-time All-American Joe Patching will lead the charge for the men this year. The sophomore holds the sixth-fastest time in the 200 backstroke and 200 individual medley, and eighth-fastest time in the 100 back in Auburn history. "He is one of those guys you can put in any race and know that you're going to get a great effort and is going to compete all the way to the finish," Hawke said. The biggest threat for Auburn's men are No.1 Florida, who won the SEC championships in 2013 and 2014, and No. 8 Georgia, who placed third last year. Georgia's women, coming off five straight wins, are the defending champions and ranked No. 1 going into the 2015 conference championships. Besides the Bulldogs, Auburn's women expect close competition from No. 4 Texas A&M and No. 7 Florida. Hawke said sophomore Allyx Purcell is the best swimmer for the women going into the championships. The Australian native is a two-time All-American. "You can put her in any relay situation and she is going to perform really well," Hawke said. "Individually she is right up there with the best sprinters in the country." Hawke said the Tigers feel comfortable competing in their home pool, but hosting the competition can bring added pressure to the team. "It helps that we've had a lot of practice off the blocks and through the turns," Hawke said. "If the athletes can get in and out of their walls a little bit better than their competition than that is definitely and advantage for us. I think it can add pressure because the athletes feel like they have to perform even better because it is their home pool." Hawke said he expects both Auburn squads will be relaxed when the competition starts Tuesday, Feb. 17, and ready for a hard fought battle. "I think if we can put our best effort out, we're going to be there right at the end," Hawke said. "I'll be happy with their best effort and if at the end of the day that is good enough to win, I'll be happy with that."
Auburn honored eight seniors in the Tigers' final home dual meet of the regular season Saturday, Jan. 24, at James E. Martin Aquatics Center. It was emotional for the seniors after the meet, but not because the women dropped, 152-148, or the men fell short, 158-142, in a tough loss to conference rivals Florida. Hanging with one of the nation's best swimming and diving programs gave the Tigers confidence they can compete against any other program, said head coach Brett Hawke. The emotions sparked from four years of hard work and building close relationships, a journey that will come to an end for eight seniors. Four from the men's side: Allen Browning, Alex Hancock, Fraser McKean and Tommy McKee; and four from the women's side: Cinzia Calabretta, Megan Fonteno, Sarah Peterson and Shanna Schuelein; were recognized before the start of the competition. Fonteno, who swam in the final relay where Auburn was just short of touching before the Gators, said her teammates will have everlasting impressions on her. "When you come to college, you don't realize the impact these people are going to have on you, and these girls will never know the impact they have had on me and my life," Fonteno said. "I can't thank them enough. They haven't just helped me become a better swimmer, but a person too." McKean, who closed out his last home meet with a pair of wins in diving and set a season-best in the men's 1-meter springboard, said he is going to miss the team atmosphere. "We've been together, especially the senior group, four years now," McKean said. "We're always there for each other, yelling for each other, cheering for each other. It's just a lot of fun." The senior said his last regular-season dual meet had to be up there with one of his best memories inside James E. Martin Aquatics Center because his father was able to make the trip to Auburn all the way from Victoria, British Columbia. "He doesn't really come down that often," McKean said. "It's a long way from home. It's really special to have him here with me tonight." For Fonteno, the end of the meet was sad, but more exciting. "I couldn't have asked for a better way to finish," Fonteno said. "Winning would have been nice, but you could really tell that everyone gave 110 percent today. There is no one I would rather share it with than these girls." Hawke said he was proud of his seniors and their years of dedication to the team. "They really give their heart and souls, so it's always nice when you can finish off the season really strong," Hawke said. McKean said it was a day of "good energy" and "good events" where everything came together. The regular-season dual meets are finished, but Auburn's seniors look to race alongside their teammates one more time at home when the Tigers host the SEC Championships starting Feb. 14.
Auburn's swimming and diving and diving team ended its regular season with a victory Thursday at the Missouri Aquatic Center in Columbia, Missouri. The No. 6 Men defeated Missouri, 162-138, and the No. 8 women won, 162-137. On the men's side, the Tigers (4-4, 4-1 SEC) took seven out of the last eight events. Sophomore Joe Patching and junior Arthur Mendes each had two wins. Patching won the 200 backstroke, touching in at 1:44.19, and ended the meet with a 1:48 in the 200 individual medley. Mendes posted a time of 43.90 in the 100 freestyle for his first victory of the year, and led the Tigers once more in the 100 butterfly, coming in at 47.28. With sweeps in both of the men's relays, the men's squad also picked up key wins from freshman Logan Samuelson in the 500 free, freshman Hugo Morris in the 200 fly and a victory in the 50 free from Kyle Darmody. On the women's side, Auburn's (7-2-1, 5-1-1 SEC) Ashley Neidigh, Allyx Purcell and Jillian Vitarius each had a pair of wins. Neidigh touched in at 9:59.41 in the 1,000 free and 4:50.51 in the 500 free. Purcell clocked in at 22.64 in the 50 free and 49.60 in the 100 free. Vitarius came in a 55.41 in the 100 back and posted a 1:57.86 in the 200 back. Auburn's women also earned victories in the 200 IM from McKenna DeBever, 200 free from Valerie Hull and the 200 free relay. Carly Scheper earned a first-place finish in diving for the Tigers. The junior recorded a six-dive list of 311.33 in the women's 3-meter competition, while senior Fraser McKean came in first place for the men in the 1-meter with a score of 367.13. With the 2014-15 dual meets behind them, the Tigers will host the SEC Championships on Feb. 17-21 at the James E. Martin Aquatics Center.
The Auburn swimming and diving team dropped a close one in its last home dual meet of the regular season Saturday at James E. Martin Aquatic Center. Strong swimming came from both top-ranked teams, but the Florida Gators defeated Auburn's men (3-4) 158-142. The women's team (6-2-1) fell 152-148. "I think both teams are pretty balanced and they got their strengths and weaknesses just like we do," said head coach Brett Hawke. "It was a great battle today between two Top-10 teams." The Tigers were focused on improving from their last meet against Texas, according to Hawke. The women's side won six events in a heartbreaker. "It's just another dual meet," said senior Megan Fonteno. "It's important, but at the same time, win or lose, we still have SEC's which is more important. Dual meets are fun, don't get me wrong, but losing does not define who we are as a team." A disappointing loss in the 400 freestyle relay made the difference between winning and losing for women. The Gators finished less than a second faster than Auburn's Fonteno, junior Alex Merritt, sophomore Allyx Purcell and freshman Valerie Hull. "Obviously Florida is a great team and its good to compare yourself to your competitors, but then again it is only a dual meet, and a lot can change between here and SEC's," Fonteno said. Sara Peterson put her blinders on and swam to first-place in the 200 fly. The senior recorded a season best 1:58.70, Auburn's fastest time of the year in the event. The women's team also picked up individual wins from Purcell in the 50 free (22.54), sophomore Natasha Lloyd in the 100 breast (1:01.76), junior Annie Lazor in the 200 breast (2:13.93) and sophomore Maddie Martin in the 100 fly (54.18). Fraser McKean and Joe Patching put the men's team on their backs as the Tigers relay team swept Florida in both races. McKean led the way with two wins in diving as Auburn took a big lead to start the day. The senior had a clean performance as McKean set a season best in the men's 1-meter springboard event. Leaving little splash, he recorded a 383.35. It was a momentum shift for Auburn as Joe Patching found enough speed to get to the wall first in the 100 back. The crowd erupted as the sophomore touched in at 47.84. Patching came up big for the Tigers once again in the 200 back later in the meet, touching in at 1:43.77. "He is just a tough racer," Hawke said. "He loves to compete and loves representing Auburn. You know you are always going to get 110 percent from him every time he swims." Michael Duderstadt stood out on the men's side as well. The senior earned his second-straight win in the 100 breast, clocking a 53.64. "We were right up against Florida and we are as good as they are," Hawke said. "I think the kids are going to be really encouraged by this." Auburn closes out its regular season slate Thursday against Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. It will be the first ever dual between Auburn and Missouri on the women's side while the men are 1-0 all-time against their SEC opponent.
Tenth-ranked Auburn men fell, 156-135, in a dual meet to No. 1 Texas while the No. 12 Auburn women dropped 174-126 to the No. 6 Longhorns in swimming and diving Thursday at the James E. Martin Aquatics Center. It was the first loss of the season for the women, but they did take first place in several events. Junior Jillian Vitarius, sophomore Beatriz Travalon, senior Megan Fonteno and Allyx Purcell opened the meet for the women's side with a victory in the 200 medley relay coming in at 1:39.27. Purcell and Fonteno saw victory again as they earned another team win in the 400 freestyle relay, this time alongside teammates junior Alex Merritt and freshman Valerie Hull. Purcell also took first place in two individual events as the sophomore clocked in at 22.64 in the 50 free and 49.39 in 100 free. The Tiger women had several second-place finishes from sophomore Natasha Lloyd in two breaststroke events, Merritt in the 100 fly, sophomore Ashley Neidigh in the 1,000 free and Hull in the 200 free. Joe Patching, sophomore Michael Duderstadt, junior Arthur Mendes and freshman Jacob Molacek opened up the men's side of the meet with a second-place finish as they clocked in at 1:28.03 in the 200 medley relay, but finished with a win towards the end of the meet in the 400 freestyle relay with a time of 2:57.38. Patching earned an individual win in the men's 200 back touching in at 1:44.83 as well as a second-place finish in the 100 back. The sophomore also posted a win in the 200IM with a time of 1:47.78 and was followed by teammates junior Jordan Jones and senior Alex Hancock who finished second and third. Dudertstadt picked up a win in the 100 breast touching in at 54.10. In diving, senior Fraser McKean picked up his 11th individual win of the season on the men's side in the 3-meter competition with a score of 401.63 while senior Cinzia Calabretta took second on the 3-meter board with a score of 304.95 for the women's side. Auburn's last home meet of the regular season will be against Florida Saturday, Jan. 24.