The Auburn swimming and diving team defeated their rival, the Texas Longhorns, Thursday, Jan. 10, during the first dual meet of the spring season at the James E. Martin Aquatics Center.
Remaining undefeated, Auburn won 23 of the day's events. The men outscored the Longhorns 166-132, winning 11 of 16 events. The women's team outraced their opponent 153-145, and won 12 of their 16 events.
"I'm really happy," said Brett Hawke, Auburn swimming and diving head coach. "There's a long history and a long rivalry here with Texas and Auburn, and it's always great to get a win against a very accomplished team. I thought our team stood up and performed really well as a unit. I was really happy with the way they backed up races, and it sets us up well for going in to championship season."
Senior Kyle Owens earned three individual victories for the men's team with winning times in the 100 backstroke (47.39), 200 backstroke (1:47:29), and 200 individual medley (1:49:94). The men's team is now 13-11 against Texas in all-time meetings.
"It was a good meet," Owens said. "I don't think I could do it if it weren't for my team mates pushing me every day in practice. Everyone's just really coming along. It's going to be great in a couple of months."
Owens, along with fellow senior Stuart Ferguson and juniors Marcelo Chierighini and James Disney-May won the first swimming event of the meet, the 200 medley relay, in 1:27:41. Ferguson, Owens, and Chierighini all went 4-for-4 on the day.
"We have been working so hard this year, harder than any time I've ever worked here in my four years," Owens said. "To see everything come together like that against such a great team like Texas puts a smile on my face."
Senior Katie Gardocki helped lead the women's team to their fifth victory out of seven all-time meetings against the Longhorns winning three freestyle events. Gardocki kicked off the individual events winning the 1,000 free in 9:45:06. She also took first in the 200 free (1:48:06) and 500 free (4:49:58).
"I thought Katie Gardocki swam really strong today," Hawke said. "She's had some injuries in the past couple of weeks and she came in and performed real well today. She was a standout."
Senior Hannah Riordan also finished the day with three wins against Texas. Riordan won the 50 free (22.85) and the 100 free (49.41) in the individual races and helped secure first in the 200 medley relay alongside her teammates, juniors Olivia Scott and Emily Bos and senior Micah Lawrence, with a time of 1.39.07.
Sophomore Fraser McKean achieved first place in the 1-meter diving event in the first competition of the day, while his teammate, junior John Santeiu took second.
Sophomore CinziaCalabretta earned two second place finishes in the women's 1 meter and 3-meter diving event.
"My confidence has just gone up so much," said Gardocki. "I am excited for Saturday to see what's going to happen."
The Tigers left the following day for a dual meet against Texas A&M in College Park, Texas, Saturday, Jan. 12. The women's team defeated the Aggies 158-141, and the men's team out swam Texas A&M 189-111. The men's and women's teams remain undefeated.
Following the victories against Texas and Texas A&M, Owens and junior Olivia Scott were honored with SEC Swimmers of the Week awards.
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