---

Track and Field finish strong at Penn Relays

By Natalie Nettles / Assistant Intrigue Editor | April 30

The Auburn men's and women's track and field team earned second and fourth place titles, as well as a college division title at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Penn, April 23-25."Some of the best teams across the country were there, and we competed very well, so I'm excited about how it went," said head coach Ralph Spry.The Tigers broke a personal record in the 4x200 meter-relay as sophomores Joanna Atkins and Cache Armbrister, and freshmen CeCe Williams and Nivea Smith beat Auburn's previous record of 1:32.42 with a time of 1:31.19.The record was also the fifth-best time in Penn Relays history.

Baseball drops 2 versus USC

By Lindsey Davidson / News Editor | April 23

Auburn ended a three-game SoutheasternConference series at South Carolinawith one win and two more lossesunder its belt last weekend.Auburn hadn't taken a win from SouthCarolina since 1997 until this past Saturdaywith a 6-4 victory over the Gamecocks."The team responded after a toughloss last night and, on a personal note,my daughter (Mary-Louise) was heretoday," said head coach John Pawlowski."It was her first game of the year, whichwas a special game for her and it's justreally exciting, It's never easy, home oron the road in the SEC.

Tigers swept by No. 6 Georgia

By Kristen Bost / Staff Writer | April 23

The Auburn softball team dropped a disappointing three-game series to the sixth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs last weekend at Jane B.

Women's golf SEC champs

By Reynolds Fuller / Staff Writer | April 23

The No. 6 Auburn women's golf team won the 2009 Southeastern Conference Championship by eight strokes April 19 after a weekend long tournament in Blythewood, S.C.The team's overall score for the tournament was 18-over-par, 870.It is the second-lowest total tournament score in Auburn history.This is the seventh SEC title for the Auburn women's golf program.The University of South Carolina hosted the SEC Championship at the University Club at Cobblestone Park.

Congenital amputee to compete in Saturday's 'Auburn Fight Night'

By Blake Larsen / Sports Editor | April 23

After being blasted by critics, barred from competition and avoided by opponents due to publicity backlash, Kyle Maynard is ready to fight.Maynard, a mixed martial arts fighter and former wrestler, was born with the rare disorder congenital amputation.He has no elbows or knees, but he will be fighting Saturday at the Auburn covered arena."I'm ready to put all the critics behind me and just get in the cage," Maynard said.

Equestrian team falls to Georgia at Varsity National Championships

By Vicki Johnson / Staff Writer | April 23

The Auburn Equestrian team lost in the finals of the Hunt Seat division against second-seed Georgia 7-1 Saturday.The Tigers (6-5) participated in the Varsity National Equestrian Championships April 16-18 in Waco, Texas, as one of the 12 teams in the Hunt Seat and Western competitions.Auburn is ranked No.

Auburn bass club takes second

By Loren Willis | April 23

Auburn's bass sports club came in second place at the Southern Collegiate Bass Fishing Series this weekend.The team totaled a weight of 64 lbs.The first place trophy went to the University of North Alabama, who had a total weight of 68 lbs.In third place was the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a total weight of 58 lbs.Auburn was the host of this year's series, which took place on Lake Wilson in Florence.Auburn had four boats, with two men on each boat, participate in the tournament.Richard Peek, vice president of the team, said approximately 20 teams made it to and competed in the series.He said the total number of anglers representing these teams was around 100.Team member J.T.

Fortner signs 6-year extension

By Abby Albright / Assistant Sports Editor | April 23

After being named SEC Coach of the Year, leading the women's basketball team to its first SEC title in 20 years and to the NCAA tournament, head coach Nell Fortner has signed a contract extension.Fortner, who has been with Auburn since 2004, signed the six-season extension April 17.

Track and field win 7 events

By Wes Sinor / Associate Sports Editor | April 23

Auburn's track and field teams had a successful run at the War Eagle Invitational last weekend, as the Tigers won seven events and captured 13 regional qualifying marks."We had great weather and great competition, and I'm really pleased with how we performed," said head coach Ralph Spry.

Time, practice on our side

By Alex Scarborough-Anderson / Managing Editor | April 23

No, those noises emanating from Jordan-Hare Saturday were not drunkards lost from a serious night of Gretchen Wilson/Trace Adkins debauchery at the Sticks concert.There were no tents, cowboy boots, super-sized belt buckles or straw hats at this little get together called A-Day.More than 45, 000 fans packed into the lower decks of the stadium to see a new era begin -- the Gene Chizik era.Whereas Tommy Tuberville would be milling around the broadcast booth, chatting up alums, Chizik was staring down his quarterbacks, firing orders at assistant coaches and coordinators.

Auburn softball swept by No. 12 Vols

By Morgan Stashick | April 16

Tigers fall to 27-14

Golf teams to compete at SEC Championship

By Allison Clark / Staff Writer | April 15

Auburn's men and women's golf teams will compete in the 2009 SEC Championship this week, which kicks off on Friday.The women's golf team will head to the University Club in Blythewood, S.C., while the men's team will go to the Frederica Club and Sea Island Golf Club in Sea Island, Ga.

Track and field earns 11 regional qualifying marks in Arizona

By Reynolds Fuller / Staff Writer | April 15

The Auburn men's and women's track and field teams competed in the rain at the Sun Angel Classic, hosted by Arizona State, April 11 and 12."This is our 12th year coming here, and we typically have good weather and great competition," said head coach Ralph Spry.

Gators chomp Tigers

By Wes Sinor / Associate Sports Editor | April 15

Backed with strong pitching, the No. 22 Florida Gators took a chomp out of Auburn's baseball team this weekend, winning the three-game series, 2-1.Auburn (23-12, 7-8 SEC) won the first game, 8-7.

CBS moves Iron Bowls to Friday

April 15

The Friday after Thanksgiving has been labeled "Black Friday," as the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, but for the next two years it will also be home to the Iron Bowl.In a move that Auburn Athletic Director Jay Jacobs said was made to fulfill contractual obligations, CBS and the Southeastern Conference have scheduled the 2009 and 2010 matchups for a day earlier than previously slated.Those in favor of the move said, while the date may inconvenience some fans and shoppers, the game will now be televised to a broader, national audience instead of the previous regional broadcast.This year's game will kickoff Nov.

Video game sales increasing

By Natalie Wade / Copy Editor | April 15

The seemingly recession-proof gaming industry will be watching how well its summer sports-related video game releases fare in sales after a 3 percent increase in overall sales from 2007 to 2008."Video gamers are a loyal group, and they will do what they need to get the games," said Mike McEwen, assistant store manager for the GameStop in TigerTown.

Former baseball coach Paul Nix dies

April 13

Former Auburn baseball coach Paul Nix Monday died at the age of 76. Nix coached Auburn for 22 years from 1963-1984, longer than any coach in school history.Nix went 515-376 while at Auburn, taking the Tigers to the NCAA College World Series twice.

Auburn lacrosse knocks off Bulldogs and Tide to remain undefeated

By Patrick Dever/Staff Writer | April 13

The Auburn University club lacrosse team entered last weekend with a perfect 7-0 record and a grudge to settle with the Georgia Bulldogs.After losing to UGA last year, the Tigers were looking for some much- needed revenge Saturday and a number one seed in the Southeastern Lacrosse Conference tournament.The game started out well for Auburn, as it jumped out to a 1-0 lead early in the first quarter on a JJ Arminio goal.The Tigers controlled the pace of the first half by winning five out of nine faceoffs.Auburn's fortunes changed, however, as UGA came back to take a 5-2 lead into the half.The game looked grim for Auburn, as it couldn't seem to put any offense together in the second quarter."We had a little trouble putting the ball in the net during the first half" said attackman Mike Hoffman.The second half started off with a bang.The Tigers rallied behind goaltender Alex Crawford, whose second half performance was nothing short of spectacular, and put in four goals to reclaim the lead at 6-5.From that point on the game was extremely close.