GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Auburn men wrapped up the NCAA Championships on Saturday with junior Christian Sztolcman swimming the 100 freestyle.
Sztolcman, who made his NCAAs debut Friday in the 200 freestyle, finished the 100 free in 43.51 to place 41st in prelims. It matched his third-fastest time ever in the event and was within a half second of the lifetime best (43.12) he set at the SEC Championships last month.
"Christian finished out the meet on a strong note with a good performance today in the 100 free," Auburn head coach Gary Taylor said. "I thought it was a good way to finish his meet, his season – one of his better performances out with the first 50 and he finished well in the back half."
The trio of Sztolcman, Nik Eberly and Mikkel Gadgaard represented the Tigers at this year's NCAA Men's Championships. Eberly and Gadgaard both set lifetime bests Friday to finish out their respective seasons. All three are expected to return next year along with six of the eight women who swam at NCAAs last week.
For Auburn, Szolcman's swim Saturday marked the final swim in what was a challenging 2020-21 season.
"While there were some good swims, good diving performances at SEC and NCAAs, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't also disappointed with our outcomes," Taylor said. "I expect more from both programs. I think we were capable of more this year, and I think we're capable of a whole lot more next year. We've got a lot of things to work on moving forward, and that includes me as well. As the head coach, it's my responsibility.
"We've got a lot of areas where we need to get better, and it's on me to direct, lead and guide the program in the direction and to the outcomes Auburn swimming and diving deserves."
QUOTABLE
Head coach Gary Taylor
On navigating through COVID-19 and finishing 2020-21 season…
"I have to say thank you to the administration, the sports medicine staff. Our trainers did a fantastic job all year. Nate Warner and Alex Casciato were there for our team through thick and thin and went above and beyond the call of duty to keep us healthy and make sure that we had a season. I really appreciate the staff's efforts as well. It's certainly been a year with its ups and downs. I'm just appreciative that we've had a lot of people in place that helped us get through to the end and complete the 2020-21 season."
NCAA MEN'S RESULTS
500 FREE
20. Mikkel Gadgaard – 4:15.32
50 FREE
T24. Nik Eberly – 19.48
100 FLY
30. Nik Eberly – 46.63 (PR)
200 FREE
T21. Mikkel Gadgaard – 1:34.21 (PR)
38. Christian Sztolcman – 1:35.77
100 FREE
41. Christian Sztolcman – 43.51
Tigers conclude NCAA men's meet, cap 2020-21 season
