AUBURN, Ala. – Senior Day means a little bit more on the Plains this week. Auburn Swim and Dive play host to its rival Alabama for the final dual meet of the season for the Tigers.
Senior recognition begins at 3:35 p.m. CT inside James E. Martin Aquatic Center. The first event of the afternoon is slated for 4 p.m. CT. For those unable to attend, fans can watch live on ESPN+.
Head coach Ryan Wochomurka has both the men's and women's squads rolling as the team enters the weekend. The Auburn men are ranked No. 9 while the women boast a No. 19 ranking according to the most up-to-date CSCAA Coaches Poll. Alabama arrives on the Plains with a men's ranking of 14, while the women are ranked No. 6.
Following impressive performances against both Texas A&M and Georgia Tech, the women remain undefeated in dual meets throughout the 2022-23 season. Distance queen Emily Hetzer has been setting the pace, while Lexie Mulvihill, Anastasia Makarova and Brynn Curtis have been equally dominant in the freestyle and breaststroke, respectively.
Daisy Platts, Ellie Waldrep, Meghan Lee and Kensley Merritt have kept backstroke university alive and well at Auburn. Between the quartet, Auburn has piled up seven wins in backstroke events this season.
Brothers Aidan Stoffle and Nate Stoffle along with Lleyton Smith have stepped up to be the dominant figures in men's backstroke and butterfly. Meanwhile, grad transfer Mihalis Deliyiannis has provided solid depth in the sprints alongside freshman Kalle Makinen.
No one has touched Reid Mikuta in the 100 breast. The junior out of Greensboro, North Carolina still owns the top time in the country heading into the weekend.
Over in the diving well, Walker Creedon and Whit Andrus are both coming off of career performances on the platform and the 3-meter, respectively. Ashlynn Sullivan also has a win in 2023, dialing up a solid performance in the 3-meter against Texas A&M. All seven of Jeff Shaffer's divers have zones scores in their respective events and will be looking to round into form before Zones begins on March 5.
A grand total of 13 swimmers and divers will be honored on Friday afternoon. Hannah Mattson, Annie O'Dare, Averee Preble, Ashlynn Sullivan, Claudia Thamm, Gretchen Wensuc, Seth Maschmeier, Lleyton Smith, Aidan Stoffle, Grady Wheeler, Daisy Platts, Walker Creedon and Mihalis Deliyiannis will all have a moment to say goodbye to the Orange and Blue faithful.
Auburn Swim and Dive hosts rival Alabama in final dual of the season
