Nov. 19, 2016
Julie Meynen and Bailey Nero each claimed individual wins and the Auburn women's swimming and diving team ran away from the field in winning the Georgia Tech Invitational. Auburn, which is ranked No. 11 in the latest CSCAA top 25, racked up 1142 points to top second-place No. 18 Florida by 219.5 points.
"Spectacular meet for the women coming off of the back of four straight weeks of racing," Auburn head coach Brett Hawke said. "The team competed with intensity and passion, which carried all through the three days of competition. The coaches are proud of the work they are doing to be ready for championship season and this is a large step in the right direction."
Meynen torched the field to win the 100 free in the fourth-fastest time in Auburn history. Going into the finals seeded third after a 50.06 during prelims, she dropped a 48.33 in the finals to top second place by .71 seconds, posting a 23.51 first 50 and a 24.82 on the back half. She has won the 100 free at every meet Auburn has competed in this season.
Not to be overshadowed in the 100 free, Aly Tetzloff took home a fourth-place finish (49.20), Robyn Clevenger was eighth (50.19) and Ashton Ellzey 10th (50.65).
Nero brought home her fourth 200 butterfly win of the season, going 1:56.49 to take the top spot by .68 seconds. Caroline Baddock took 10th in the event in 2:06.86 while Haley Black was 11th, winning the B Final in 1:59.56.
Auburn closed out the invitational with a win in the 400 free relay, giving the team the win in both of the sprint freestyle relays. During Saturday's 400 free, Auburn clocked a 3:17.01, the third-fastest time in the nation this season. Tetzloff led off the relay with a personal-best 48.59 before giving way to Meynen (48.46). Ellzey (50.05) and Clevenger (49.91) handled the final two legs.
Auburn had three top-eight finishes in the mile, led by Ashley Neidigh's third-place showing (16:13.59). Zoe Thatcher claimed a sixth-place finish (16:21.95) and Erin Falconer an eighth-place finish (16:34.64).
Baddock was Auburn's top finisher in the 200 back, posting a 1:57.18 to finish fourth. Thatcher finished ninth (2:02.54) and Falconer was 10th (2:04.15) after both swam the mile earlier in the day.
Natasha Lloyd brought home a second-place finish in the 200 breaststroke with a 2:12.42.
In the diving well, which included both Auburn's men's and women's teams, Scott Lazeroff took home the platform title with a 431.30 and Pete Turnham posted a career-best 323.60 to finish fourth.
"In the first platform competition, Scott picked up where he left off last year at Georgia Tech, nearly beating his personal-best score at the NCAA Championships," Shaffer said. "I'm very proud of Scott's performance, which included a new dive (307C reverse three-and-a-half) which he scored 6.5 and 7.0 for 68 points."
For Auburn's women, Alison Maillard continued her strong debut season, taking fourth on the platform (242.05). Maddie Cox finished 10th (211.00) and Claire Schuermann was 17th (199.95).
"Alison led the women with a zone qualifying score," Auburn diving coach Jeff Shaffer said. "We'll now focus on preparing for the Georgia Invitational, final exams and then wrap up the fall with the Auburn Diving Invitational (Dec. 17-19)."
"I would like to personally thank all the athletes and coaches for all the work they are doing to make this season great," Hawke said.
Auburn's women are now done with competition until January. The men will compete at the Georgia Invitational Dec. 2-4 in Athens, Ga.
Team Scores Final
1. Auburn 346 760 1142
2. Florida 246 610 922.5
3. Alabama 228 581 909.5
4. South Carolina 186 449 710
5. Arkansas 224 465 630
Platform Diving Score
4. Allison Maillard 242.05
10. Maddie Cox 211.00
17. Claire Schuermann 199.95
Platform Diving (Men) Score
1. Scott Lazeroff 431.30
4. Pete Turnham 323.60
1650 Freestyle Time
3. Ashley Neidigh 16:13.59
6. Zoe Thatcher 16:21.95
8. Erin Falconer 16:34.64
200 Backstroke Time
4. Caroline Baddock 1:56.41/1:57.18
9. Zoe Thatcher 1:57.75/2:02.54
10. Erin Falconer 1:59.13/2:04.15
18. Shannon McKernan 2:01.68/2:01.26
27. Annie Boone 2:03.61/2:02.54
32. Camille Porter 2:04.59
37. Genny Pittman 2:05.73
100 Freestyle Time
1. Julie Meynen 50.06/48.33
4. Aly Tetzloff 48.91/49.20
8. Robyn Clevenger 50.36/50.19
10. Ashton Ellzey 50.40/50.65
17. Jessica Merritt 50.91/50.74
23. Sierra Jett 51.44/50.89
25. Jacqueline Hippi 51.14/51.12
45. Camille Porter 52.33
58. Lauren Dunn 53.27
200 Breaststroke Time
2. Natasha Lloyd 2:13.36/2:12.42
14. Breanna Roman 2:18.17/2:16.61
20. Brooke Malone 2:19.12/2:20.36
17. Kristen Murslack 2:18.32
35. Oda Gjerde 2:26.25
200 Butterfly Time
1. Bailey Nero 1:58.80/1:56.49
10. Caroline Baddock 2:00.26/2:06.86
11. Haley Black 2:03.34/1:59.56
13. Kristen Murslack 2:02.35/2:01.05
19. Maddie Martin 2:02.85/2:03.54
48. Caroline Schirmer 2:13.57
400 Freestyle Relay Time
1. Tetzloff, Meynen, Ellzey, Clevenger 3:17.01
EX. Merritt, Hippi, Jett, Falconer 3:23.52
EX. McKernan, Black, Porter, Pittman 3:25.97