The men's team came in second place at the 2013 SEC Swimming and Diving Championships Saturday, Feb. 23 while the women's team finished in fifth. The Florida men and the Georgia women won the championship.
The men won five of six individual titles on the night as senior Kyle Owens won the 200-yard backstroke, junior Mario Chierighini swam the fastest time in the 100-yard freestyle, junior Zane Grothe won the 1,650-yard freestyle, and junior John Santeiu took the platform diving event victory. The men also won the 400 freestyle relay.
Chierighini was awarded SEC Men's Swimmer of the Year honors and Owens was the runner-up for the Commissioner's trophy, which is awarded to the swimmer with the most individual points in the competition.
"Marcelo is just in another league right now. He won that (100 free) by a full body length. That's just unheard of; we haven't seen that since Cesar (Cielo). He's swimming outstandingly, and we're hopeful he'll swim faster at NCAAs. And Kyle, just an amazing performance from him. I think he'll be SEC Swimmer of the Meet. He won the 100 and 200 (back), was third in the 200 IM, and won all the relays he's been on. He's had an outstanding meet and led this team by example."
Auburn will now look toward the NCAA Championships in Indianapolis. The women's meet will be March 21-23 while the men's meet is scheduled for March 28-30.
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