March 21, 2014
MINNEAPOLIS - Senior Emily Bos and sophomore Jillian Vitarius earned All-America honors for their performances on the second day at the NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships at the University Aquatic Center.
Bos set a new personal record in the 100 back with a night swim of 51.84 to finish eighth in her first career championship final appearance in an individual event. The senior picked up her 16th All-America selection, besting her prelim time of 51.92.
"I'm really happy to see Emily and Jill make it back to finals and swim good times. They've worked hard all year," Auburn head coach Brett Hawke said. "I think tomorrow is going to be our best day. We've got a great shot to make the finals in the 400 free relay and some individual swims as well."
The senior's time of 51.84 improved Bos' standing in the Auburn record book where she now sits in third all-time in the 100 back in school history and is just one of three Tigers to go sub-52 seconds in the event, the first Tiger to do so since Rachel Goh and Margo McCawley in 2009 at the SEC Championships.
"Emily's been so close to the A-final for a few years now. To get her in there was awesome; great to see a smile on her face and we hope she turns in a great 100 free (Saturday)," Hawke said of the senior.
Vitarius continued her strong day by taking fourth in the consolation final of the 100 back, posting a time of 52.30 to take 12th overall. The sophomore earned her first All-America honor on Friday night as honorable mention selection for her finish in the 100 back.
Vitarius' time of 52.17, which she swam in the prelims Friday morning, ranks as the fourth-best mark in the 100 back in Auburn history. She will compete again tomorrow in the 200 back for the Tigers during the third and final day of competiton.
Auburn enters the final day of competition tied for 19th in the team standings with Notre Dame and UMass. Georgia continues to lead the field with 369 points, 72 points ahead of second-place Stanford.
Saturday's final day of competition begins at 11 a.m. in Minneapolis with finals set to start at 7 p.m. Saturday night's finals will be avaiable to watch on ESPN3/WatchESPN.
For the latest updates on Auburn Swimming and Diving, follow the Tigers on Twitter, @AuburnSwimming or like Auburn Swimming and Diving on Facebook.
Auburn Swimming & Diving Results
NCAA Women's Championships - Day 2
March 21, 2014
University Aquatics Center - Minneapolis, Minn.
Team Standings: 1. Georgia 369, 2. Stanford 297, 3. California 285, 4. Texas A&M 226.5, 5. USC 189, 6. Tennessee 155, 7. Florida 154, 8. Texas, 119, 9. Minnesota 91.5, 10. Arizona 84, T19. Auburn 28
100 Backstroke
8. Emily Bos - 51.84 (PR)
12. Jillian Vitarius - 52.30
Auburn All-Americans
Emily Bos (2) - 200 FR (HM), 100 back
Megan Fonteno (1) - 200 FR (HM)
Aubrey Peacock (1) - 200 FR (HM)
Allyx Purcell (1) - 200 FR (HM)
Jillian Vitarius (1) - 100 back (HM)
Auburn Notes
- Emily Bos swam the third-fastest time in Auburn history in the 100 back, posting a time of 51.84 in Friday's final. The senior appeared in her first individual championship final on Friday night.
- Jillian Vitarius moved up to fourth in school history in the 100 back with a time of 52.17. She earned her first All-America honor with an honorable mention selection taking 12th overall in the 100 back.