Nov. 14, 2014
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Auburn swimming and diving completed its final double dual of the fall season on Friday at the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatics Center. The Auburn women (6-0-1, 3-0-1 SEC) remained undefeated on the year, topping Louisville, 185-114, and tying SEC foe Tennessee, 150-150.
The tie versus the Lady Vols marked the first in program history as Auburn's women team earned three individuals win on the afternoon.
"I was really proud of the women and how they competed today," head coach Brett Hawke said. "I thought Ashley did a great job in her races. She has really turned her attitude around, it has helped her in practice and preparing races. She's really worked hard and focused on getting better each time out."
Auburn's men team (3-2, 3-0 SEC) split in Friday's meet versus the Cardinals and Vols, defeating Tennessee, 157-143, to remain undefeated against SEC foes this season. The Tigers fell to Louisville, 171-129.
For the Tiger women, Ashley Neidigh continued her dominance in the distance free events, taking wins in the 500 free (4:48.42) and 1,000 free (9:44.82). The sophomore's time in the 1,000 free is a personal best which ranks as the fifth-fastest time in school history in the event and the eighth-best time this year nationally.
Jillian Vitarius earned the victory in the 100 back with a swim of 54.52, posting her fastest time of the season. Valerie Hull earned her first individual win of her freshman season, touching in at 1:49.58. Zoe Thatcher continued her strong freshman season with two runner-up finishes in the 500 free (4:51.42) and 1000 free (9:54.46).
Joe Patching doubled for the Auburn men, taking first in the 200 IM and 200 free. The sophomore went 1:37.16, the 10th-best time in the nation this year, to start the meet in the 200 free.
Patching posted a time of 1:40.60 in the 200 IM in his final individual race of the day, earning another win with the second-fastest time in the nation this year in the event. He also picked up a runner-up finish in the 200 back, recording the third-best time of the year in the 200 back at 1:44.02.
Alex Hancock was second in the 100 fly (47.92), just getting edged out at the wall by .03 seconds. The senior also took second in the 200 fly with a time of 1:48.30. Michael Duderstadt was also second in the 200 breast, posting a time of 1:58.72.
"We went in with a mindset of racing tough and working towards then end goal. We lost some close races this afternoon, but I'm proud of the way we fought to beat Tennessee," Hawke said.
Fraser McKean won the 3-meter competition with a personal best score of 413.40. The senior was also second on the men's side on the 1-meter, posting a score of 344.55. Justin Youtsey claimed a pair of third-place finishes for the Tigers on both springboards. The junior posted a score of 339.55 on the 1-meter and followed that up with 347.95 on the 3-meter.
Cinzia Calabretta took the win in the women's 3-meter diving competition with a score of 296.90. Carly Scheper put together a strong list for the Auburn women on the 1-meter, finishing third with a score of 270.00. Shanna Schuelein was third in the 1-meter competition, posting a 265.40.
Auburn's full squad returns to action in Athens, Ga., on Dec. 5-7 at the Georgia Invitational. The Tigers' divers will compete next at the Georgia Tech Diving Invite on Nov. 20-22 in Atlanta.
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