Jan. 24, 2015
| 
| 2014-15 Schedule
AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn swimming and diving team fell short in its final home dual meet of the regular season as the Tiger women dropped a heartbreaker to Florida, 152-148, while the men were downed 158-142 by the Gators Saturday at the James E. Martin Aquatics Center.
On the women's side, the meet came down to the final event as the Gators (5-2, 5-1 SEC) out-touched the Tigers (6-2-1, 3-1-1 SEC) at the wall. Clinging to a 142-141 lead, Auburn's Alex Merritt, Allyx Purcell, Megan Fonteno and Valerie Hull went 3:18.64 to nearly catch the Gators down the stretch, but it was Florida who touched in first at 3:18.43 to take the win and the meet victory. Auburn's women finished the day with six event wins.
On the men's side, Fraser McKean (1-meter, 3-meter) and Joe Patching (100 back, 200 back) picked up a pair of wins for Auburn's men (3-4, 3-1 SEC) while the Tigers swept both relay events against Florida (5-1, 3-1 SEC).
"It was a great battle today between two really good teams. I thought there was lots of great swimming today," head coach Brett Hawke said. "There were some things last time out against Texas that we thought we could improve on and I feel like we did that. Top-to-bottom we were much better and I was really happy with that."
"This meet gives our kids confidence that we can compete against Florida and anyone else. I think the kids are going to be encouraged. It's tough to lose by a few points at home, but I'm proud of their effort. Hopefully we can finish the season off really strong," Hawke said afterwards."
Saturday's meet marked the final home regular-season meet for eight Auburn seniors. Four men - Allen Browning, Alex Hancock, Fraser McKean and Tommy McKee along with four women - Cinzia Calabretta, Megan Fonteno, Sarah Peterson and Shanna Schuelein.
"Each group of seniors leave a mark on this program," Hawke said. "This group has made an impact on this program with their effort and hard work. They're ready to close the season out on a strong note."
Auburn's women opened the meet with a convincing win in the 200 medley relay as the team of Jillian Vitarius, Beatriz Travalon, Fonteno and Purcell clocked a 1:39.58 to get the win.
The Tigers also picked up individual wins from Purcell in the 50 free (22.54), Natasha Lloyd in the 100 breast (1:01.76), Annie Lazor in the 200 breast (2:13.93), Maddie Martin in the 100 fly (54.18) and Sarah Peterson in the 200 fly (1:58.70) Peterson's mark is a season-best in the event and Auburn's fastest time of the year in the 200 fly.
For the Auburn men, Patching went 47.84 to grab the win in the 100 back in a tight race as first through third were separated by just .09 seconds. The sophomore cruised to victory in the 200 back at 1:43.77 later in the meet.
Michael Duderstadt earned his second-straight win in the 100 breast, clocking a 53.64.
Patching, Duderstadt, Arthur Mendes and Kyle Darmody opened the meet with a first-place finish in the 200 medley relay, posting a 1:27.64. In the 400 free relay, Mendes, Darmody, Hancock and Duderstadt closed out the competition with a 2:56.02 to take the win.
McKean continued his strong run of performances, grabbing two wins in diving. The senior set a season-best in the men's 1-meter springboard event to begin the day as the senior scored 383.35 to lead a 1-2-3 Auburn finish. Justin Youtsey's 359.18 was good enough for second, while Pete Turnham posted a 318.23 to place third. Youtsey also took second on the 3-meter board with a six-dive list of 353.10.
On the women's side, Calabretta earned second for the Tigers in the 3-meter event as the senior posted a 285.00. Morgan Mullins was Auburn's top-finisher on the 1-meter board, collecting a NCAA Zone qualifying score of 267.83 to place third.
Auburn heads to Columbia, Mo., Thursday for its final dual meet of the regular season against Missouri. Start time is set for noon CT. The Tigers will host the 2015 SEC Championships, Feb. 17-21.
For the latest updates on Auburn Swimming and Diving, follow the Tigers on Twitter, @AuburnSwimming or like Auburn Swimming and Diving on Facebook.