GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Auburn women had four swimmers compete Thursday on what was the second day of the NCAA Women's Championships, including two first-time competitors in sophomore Averee Preble and freshman Hannah Ownbey.
The top finisher of the day for the Tigers was junior Emily Hetzer who placed 21st in the 500 freestyle. None of the four made it through to finals.
"We're out of the gate, and that's a positive," Auburn head coach Gary Taylor said. "We had a lot of first-timers get up and race at this meet. There are certainly some things to learn from, but we're also going to have to be better moving forward as well. And I think that's the message to the team tonight."
DAY 2 HIGHLIGHTS
Hetzer, who is the third fastest swimmer in Auburn history in the 500 freestyle, swam a 4:44.79 in Thursday's prelims to finish 21st overall at the NCAA Championships. Preble also swam the 500 free and finished 43rd in prelims with a time of 4:48.41.
Ownbey, a freshman making her NCAA debut, paced the Tigers in the 200 IM with a time of 1:58.68 to finish 39th. It was the first of three events Ownbey is expected to swim this week.
Senior Carly Cummings also competed in the 200 IM and was 58th overall at 2:00.81.
QUOTABLE
Head coach Gary Taylor
On overcoming the nerves at NCAAs…
"I do think some of it is just the experience of performing in this meet. It is different. There is a different tension and anxiousness that goes into it. And at the same time, at the end of the day, it's just another swim meet. You dive in, you swim as hard as you can, you finish the race, you get out like everybody else. I think we have to manage our nerves and emotions a little bit better and know that we've earned the spot to be here and that we have an opportunity to compete like everybody else does."
UP NEXT
Five of Auburn's eight swimmers at the NCAA meet will be in action Friday. Ownbey, Colby Hurt and Devan Sweeney will all swim the 400 IM. Senior Jewels Harris will represent the Tigers in the 100 butterfly while Cummings and Brynn Curtis will both swim the 100 breaststroke.
Prelims will begin at 9 a.m. CT followed by finals at 5 p.m. CT.
Watch: Prelims | Finals
Two Tigers make NCAA debut on Day 2 of women’s meet
