The Auburn men's and women's swimming and diving teams soar into the 2012 season with two consecutive wins against two SEC schools.
In the season opener at the James E. Martin Aquatic Center against Alabama Saturday Oct. 13, the men won 175-68, and the women 182-162.
At the second home meet of the season Saturday, Oct. 20, once again the men finished first, surpassing LSU with a score of 213-87.
The women also maintained their first-place finish from the previous weekend and posted a score of 218.5-78.5, a complete shutout.
"It's always good to shut a team out," said Brett Hawke, swimming and diving head coach. "We haven't done this in a while where we've shut a couple teams out two weeks in a row."
In regard to the LSU meet, Hawke said, "We've won a lot of closer races, but there were a lot of great wins. Everyone is feeling really tired, but they came together as a team."
One of the biggest advantages this season has been swimming at home for the first two events.
"The first two meets have been great," said Justin Youtsey, freshman diver on the men's team. "The atmosphere on the pool deck is very loud as the team cheers everyone on. Each meet, we try to improve as a team and push each other to become better."
Youtsey, who competed in the U.S. Olympic diving trials in Seattle this past June, competes in all the diving events -- 1-meter, 3-meter and platform.
"The highlight of last week's meet vs. LSU was the team winning every race and every diving event," he said. "Our team was a perfect 16 for-16."
In agreement with Youtsey was Megan Fonteno, sophomore swimmer for the women.
The 50-, 100-, 200-freestyle and 100-butterfly swimmer said, "Highlights in meets for myself are always the relays. They are great to watch and an honor to be a part of. They are my favorite part of the meet, and this past one I got to be on the 200-medley relay with Emily Bos, Lauren Norberg and Lindsey Norberg.
"The race was exciting, and it's always nice to share the experience with other members of your team."
Another personal highlight of Fonteno's is her participation in last summer's Olympics, where she swam for American Samoa.
When asked what she thought about the season so far, she said, "I feel like the first two meets have gone really well, girls and boys. We have come together and we are already stronger than we were last year. I feel like it's going to be a great season."
Hawke and the team have plans for the rest of the season to continue success.
Hawke said the team will "keep working hard until December then we'll have a meet in Georgia, we'll have a couple days of rest and then start preparing for SECs."
Youtsey and Fonteno said they both have the common goal to continue with their hard work and to help out the team as much as possible, with hopes to take another SEC title.
The women's swimming and diving team will take on Notre Dame at 4 p.m. on Friday in its third straight home meet.
The men have off until the team takes on Kentucky Friday, Nov. 2.
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