MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Head coach Ryan Wochomurka could not have scripted a better start to the 2023 Men's NCAA Swim and Dive Championships. Both the 200 medley and 800 free relays put points on the board and Auburn grabbed its first top-eight finish since 2018.
When the dust settled, the Orange and Blue tallied 40 points, almost doubling last year's total on night one and grabbing eighth place in the process.
Aidan Stoffle, Reid Mikuta, Nate Stoffle and Kalle Makinen couldn't have asked for a better start to the meet in the 200 medley relay. A 1:22.67 marked the third-fastest swim in program history and gave the quartet ninth place and All-American Honorable Mention honors.
After setting the program record in the 800 free relay a month ago in College Station, the Auburn men were dead set on doubling down in Minneapolis. Michael Bonson, Ryan Husband, Mason Mathias and Danny Schmidt put together a brilliant race to hit the wall at 6:11.64, resetting the record and earning eighth place in the process. Bonson's 1:32.77 opening split was also the second fastest in school history.
The feat solidified the Tiger's first true All-American honors since 2018 and the first top-eight finish for Auburn in the 800 free relay since 2017.
UP NEXT
Thursday's competition includes the 500 free, 200 IM, 50 free, 1-meter diving and 200 free relay. Prelims are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. CT and finals are slated for 6 p.m. CT. Complete coverage of the NCAA Championships can be found on ESPN+.
Podium finish in 800 free relay kickstarts day 1 at NCAA Championships
