AUBURN, Ala. – As Auburn wrapped up the Auburn Invitational on Sunday, the focus was on the three senior women who each swam their final race for the Tigers.
Senior Annie Boone started the afternoon in the 200 backstroke where she placed fifth and improved her time from prelims, finishing in 2:00.81. Next up was Sierra Jett who won the 100 freestyle in 49.68, setting a new lifetime best by more than a second. Lastly, Jaqueline Hippi also swam a new lifetime best (2:19.98) to finish fourth in the 200 breaststroke.
"I'm really proud of the seniors," Auburn head coach Gary Taylor said. "Their effort, their heart, their fight. Obviously a very emotional day for them, and this was about them.
"I thought Annie Boone put in a solid performance, faster tonight and did some good things from that standpoint. Jaqi Hippie was faster tonight as well and swam a lifetime best there. Sierra wins the 100 free, lifetime best by more than a second – a really, really good performance."
Fellow senior Camille Porter, who was a late add to Auburn's SEC roster, set a new lifetime best in prelims Sunday as she proved fastest in the 100 freestyle at 49.54. She didn't swim the finals.
Other highlights from Sunday included freshman Jack Armstrong winning the men's 100 freestyle final. Armstrong, who will also be on the SEC roster for the Tigers, swam a season best (44.11) as he prepares for his first SEC championships.
Freshman Hannah Mattson, who will not swim at SECs, turned in a lifetime best (2:00.79) in prelims for the 200 backstroke and then finished fourth in finals.
Overall, it was a strong three days for the Auburn swimmers who competed this weekend. The meet also generated excitement for the SEC championships, which will be held in the same pool beginning Tuesday, Feb. 17 and running through Saturday, Feb. 22.
"We're looking forward to hosting the meet," Taylor said. "That always means a lot to the home team. It means a lot to be able to shave, taper and swim in front of the home fans, dive in front of the home fans. We're excited. We saw some really good performances yesterday and today out of our SEC performers, so I think that builds the confidence and bodes well for SECs."