March 16, 2016
ATLANTA - Erin Falconer worked hard all to season to be the first Auburn swimmer in the pool at the 2016 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. On Wednesday night at Georgia Tech's McAuley Aquatic Center, that work paid off with a leadoff swim on Auburn's 800 freestyle relay team.
"I was really excited to get the meet started," Falconer said. "It's been my goal all season to be on that relay. To leadoff was an honor because I am the first one on the team swimming in the whole meet."
Falconer, a freshman from Mundelein, Ill., swam her leadoff 200 freestyle in 1:45.91, just .08 seconds off of her lifetime best.
"It's also been my goal all season to make it to this meet," Falconer said. "First swim, I was a little bit nervous but also mainly excited to be here. I dove in and felt really good so I knew it would be a good time. Now I'm more relaxed and ready to take on the rest of the meet."
Auburn finished outside the top 16, placing 21st in 7:08.46. Jillian Vitarius swam the second leg in 1:47.22, Shannon McKernan swam the third leg in 1:48.41 and Zoe Thatcher anchored in 1:46.92.
Georgia won the event in 6:51.80 to hold first place. Southern Cal is second followed by California in third, Virginia in fourth and SEC Champion Texas A&M in fifth.
The championships continue on Thursday with the 200 free relay, 500 freestyle, 200 IM, 50 free, 400 medley relay and 1-meter diving. Prelims begin at 9 a.m. CT and finals at 5 p.m.
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