The Gary Taylor era of Auburn swimming and diving started off with an impressive showing, cruising past Florida Gulf Coast, 163-73, in a women's-only meet at the Martin Aquatics Center Saturday morning. Auburn was first to the wall in 10 of 11 swimming event and swept the springboard diving events.
"There were really, really good performances by the women today across the board," Taylor said. "I loved the energy, the enthusiasm and the excitement. They raced with a lot of passion and effort. I thought from the very first 200 medley relay all the way through the 400 free relay they fought hard and performed well throughout the meet."
Auburn went 1-2 in both relays, with Abi Wilder, Val Tazari, Jewels Harris and Julie Meynen winning the 200 medley relay in 1:41.54 to open the meet and Jessica Merritt, Erin Falconer, Emily Hetzer and Shannon McKernan winning the 400 free relay in 3:24.09 to close the meet.
"It was a total team effort today but we got some great leadership from our seniors," Taylor said. "Erin Falconer got wins today in the 1000 free and 100 back with some strong performances. Aly Tetzloff had a really strong 200 freestyle and 100 fly with some of her best in-season performances. Bailey Nero helped us out in the 400 IM with a win there as well."
Falconer went 9:55.70 to win the 1000 free and 54.53 to take first in the 100 back.
Tetzloff won the 200 free in 1:47.55 and the 100 fly in 53.65.
Nero claimed the 400 IM race in 4:16.81.
"It's been a hard couple of months but the ladies have trained really well and you saw a lot of that come to fruition this weekend," Taylor said.
The remaining event wins went to Claire Fisch in the 50 free (22.94), Robyn Clevenger in the 100 free (50.56) and Sonnele Oeztuerk in the 500 free (4:53.34).
In diving, Alison Maillard earned the 12th and 13th dual meet wins on the springboard of her career, scoring a 304.28 on the 1-meter and a 325.35 on the 3-meter. Senior newcomer Wendy Espina-Esquival also scored a zone diving championship qualifying score with a 295.95 on the 3-meter and placed second to Maillard on the 1-meter with a 246.30.
"I was really pleased opening the season with a double win for Allison," diving coach Jeff Shaffer said. "She seems to be picking up where she left off last year with over 300 points on both lists. "Wendy, in her first meet for Auburn, and Alison both picking up zone qualifying scores in their first meet is a good start."
The Auburn men will join the women for the next dual meet as the two teams head to Charlottesville, Va., to take on Virginia in a two-day dual meet, Friday, Oct. 26, and Saturday, Oct. 27.
