Oct. 6, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. - At the end of the day, it was Blue who had the last laugh from the annual Auburn Swimming and Diving Spirit Week.
Competing in the pool for the first time after doing various mental and physical challenges throughout the week, Blue won the swimming events 191-165 and the week 282.5-241.5.
Blue, captained by Zach Apple and Erin Falconer, held a 91.5-76.5 advantage heading into Friday's exhibition swims and then put it away, winning 12 of 22 swimming events.
"It's been real fun, splitting up into two teams and getting the competitive juices flowing again," Apple said. "The week has been fun. It's been good to get the fire out of each other."
Friday's events included the 4x100 and 4x50 medley relays, the 4x100 free relay, 150s in the fly, free, back and breast, a 300 free and springboard diving.
"This week has been a lot of fun and really brought the team together," Falconer said. "The excitement of starting racing again springs our season forward from here."
The 1997 men's national championship team was also in town for a 20-year reunion on Friday night and an on-field recognition during halftime of Saturday's Auburn-Ole Miss football game.
Auburn opens up the competition season in a week, playing host to Tennessee and Wisconsin in a double dual meet Friday and Saturday at the Martin Aquatics Center. Start times are set for 3 p.m. on Friday and 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.