Jan. 14, 2014
AUBURN, Ala. - Freshman Joe Patching was named SEC Co-Male Freshman of the Week, the league office announced Tuesday. The honor for Patching marked the second time this season he has been recognized by the SEC.
The freshman picked up two individual wins last week as the Tigers traveled to No. 2 Texas for their first dual meet of 2014. Patching also played a key part in Auburn's victory in the 200 medley relay, leading off the event with a split of 22.70.
Patching leads the Auburn men with seven individual wins this season. Last week, the freshman also took the win in the 100 back and the 400 IM. Patching cruised to the victory in the 100 back with a time of 48.09. Appearing in the 400 IM for the first time in his career, Patching touched the wall first at 3:54.17 in first.
The Ascot, England, native also competed in the 200 back for Auburn, finishing second at Texas with a time of 1:44.89. Patching currently holds the nation's fifth-best time in the 200 back at 1:40.98, posting that mark earlier this season. His time of 46.77 in the 100 back also ranks 12th in the country and is tied for the eighth-best swim in school history.
The honor by the league marks the second time Patching has been recognized by the conference office during the 2013-14 season. Patching was named SEC Male Freshman of the Week for his performance at November's Auburn Invitational, where he picked up an 'A' cut in the 200 back, a 'B' cut in the 100 back and appeared on Auburn's 200 and 400 medley relay squads that also locked up automatic qualifying times.
Auburn's full squad returns to action on Jan. 25 and travels to Florida for an SEC dual meet against the Gators. The meet is set to begin at 10 a.m. CT at the McConnell Center.
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