AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn's swimming and diving team got its first taste of competition for the 2018-19 season with Friday's Orange & Blue Intrasquad meet at the Martin Aquatics Center.
Team Orange came out the winner on the scoreboard, 299-277, but it was a win all around for Gary Taylor, his coaching staff and the 56 athletes competing in the pool.
"Today is special for me and a number of others," Taylor, in his first year at Auburn, said. "This is our first meet at Auburn and we had the opportunity to wear the AU on our chest and on our cap. Any time you get to do that is really special.
"I'm really proud of the way the kids performed and competed," Taylor said. "They represented the Orange and Blue at a high level."
Diving coach Jeff Shaffer, entering his 20th season at Auburn, also saw his team face competition, though friendly, for the first time.
"I think it was a good opportunity for them to step up and represent Auburn," Shaffer said. "It's just the beginning. I wasn't totally pleased with everything we did. We've been making good progress in practice, and it didn't always show tonight, but I'm very hopeful and excited about what the new kids can do and everyone else will improve as we go along as well."
Auburn's women will compete for the first time on Saturday, Oct. 20, when Florida Gulf Coast comes to Auburn for a 10 a.m. dual meet. The men's first meet will be alongside the women on Friday, Oct. 26, at Virginia.
Orange takes down Blue in S&D Intrasquad
