AUBURN, Ala. – Competing in their last dual meet at the James E. Martin Aquatic Center, the 14 members of Auburn's senior class took home eight individual wins as both the men's and women's teams swept Gardner-Webb on Friday afternoon.
"I thought our seniors really stepped up and performed admirably," Auburn head coach Gary Taylor said. "Our stars performed, and opportunities arose for the other seniors who stepped up in scoring situations and performed as well.
"I'm really proud of this senior class and all that they've accomplished, certainly over the last two years that I've been here but really over the course of their entire collegiate careers."
The No. 14 Auburn women picked up wins in all 14 swimming events Friday to earn a 181-68 victory over the Bulldogs. It was their fifth dual meet win of the season.
The Tigers opened the meet with a 1-2-3 sweep in the 200 medley relay and stayed in control from that point on. Senior Jaden Bellina picked up a win in the 100 butterfly, finishing in 55.61, and also placed second in the 400 IM with her fastest time this spring.
Fellow seniors Jessica Merritt (200 free), Julie Meynen (50 free), Claire Fisch (100 free) and Abi Wilder (200 back) also took home individual titles for the Tigers.
The Auburn men, ranked No. 23 nationally, swept the first four events of the meet and captured 12 event titles in all to earn their fifth win in a dual meet this season with a 167-90 victory over Gardner-Webb.
"On the men's side Davis Edwards is one that stands out," Taylor said. "He has a really good 400 IM, one of his best this season, and he comes back and wins the 500 free in dominating fashion. Owen Upchurch, another one of our seniors who is always there, gets a couple big wins today in the 200 free and 100 free."
Edwards and Upchurch were two of five Auburn swimmers to earn multiple individual wins, joining McAuley Parker and Abbey Webb from the women's side and Christian Ginieczki, who won the 200 butterfly and the 200 backstroke on the men's side.
The senior men dominated the short distance freestyle events with Upchurch taking first in both the 100 and 200 free and fellow senior Santiago Grassi capturing the 50 free title.
The Auburn divers did not compete in Friday's meet.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Auburn swimming and diving team will return to the pool next Saturday at Florida for the final dual meet of the season. Both the men's and women's teams at Florida are currently ranked in the top 10. The meet is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. CT.
"You're going up against a rival and you're going up against a really quality program," Taylor said. "Both their men's and women's team are ranked highly. They've got some superstar performers. They're a program that on both sides is looking to win conference.
"For us, that used to be a great rivalry. It was extremely intense, and our goal and responsibility right now is to get it back to that level."