Feb. 28, 2010
ATHENS, Ga. - Members of the Auburn women's swimming team returned to Athens, Ga., to participate in the two-day Bulldog Invitational last chance meet at Gabrielsen Natatorium. Athletes swam in the meet in hopes of improving times and qualifying for the 2010 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships.
On day one, senior Maggie Bird improved her provisional qualifying in the 500 free, finishing in 4:43.02. Junior Micah Martindale also swam in the 500 free and touched in an improved B time of 4:51.97. Martindale also had a faster time in the 200 free, touching in a B time of 1:48.35.
A pair of freshmen in Lauren Norberg and Becca Jones put together season-best swims during the meet. Norberg picked up a B time of 1:02.55 in the 100 breast, while Jones swam a B time of 50.22 in the 100 free.
Junior Erica Meissner improved both her 100 and 200 backstroke provisional times on the weekend. She swam a 54.85 in the 100 back and finished in 1:56.36 in the 200 back. Senior Abby MacGregor swam a 2:15.56 in the 200 breast to improve her B time.
The Auburn men will have their turn to improve their provisional times as they host the James E. Martin Invitational last chance meet on March 7 at the James E. Martin Aquatic Center. Members of the team will also participate in the three-day Austin Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, March 4-6.
Athletes who qualify will participate in the NCAA Championships in March. The women will compete March 18-20 in West Lafayette, Ind., while the men's championships will be held in Columbus, Ohio, March 25-27.