MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Auburn barrels towards 100 total team points after a record-breaking performance from Reid Mikuta in the 100 breast and a handful of All-America honors. With one day of competition left at the 2023 NCAA Men's Swim and Dive Championships, the Tigers sit ninth with 96 points.
For the second straight day, Jacques Rathle led the Tigers in the individual medley. A 3:45.67 in the 400 earned Rathle 30th overall. Danny Schmidt clocked in with a time of 3:50.37 to grab 35th.
Mason Mathias has been knocking down records left and right this season. In the 200 free, the sophomore jumped into eighth all-time with a 1:34.00. The mark also earned the Alabama native 35th. Michael Bonson took 40th with a 1:34.88.
In the 100 breast, it was Reid Mikuta and Henry Bethel who each took a stab an qualifying. Mikuta made his way into the B final with a 51.66 while Bethel's 52.13 earned the Georgia native 23rd.
Mikuta's intentions in finals were entirely on dropping time. Not only did the junior accomplish his goal but a 51.06 solidified a new program record in the event, gave Mikuta 10th place overall and snagged All-America Honorable mention honors.
Brothers Nate Stoffle and Aidan Stoffle weren't about to let a good opportunity to slip through their fingers in the 100 back. Nate clocked in at 44.93, just off his school record pace to earn a spot in the evening's A final. Meanwhile, Aidan hit the wall at 45.22 for a new personal best and a place in the B final.
Nate hit the wall eighth in finals with a 45.38 to collect his first individual All-America honors. Meanwhile, Aidan made up ground in consolation final, putting together a 45.09 to jump to third all-time in Auburn history along with All-America Honorable Mention honors.
The 3-meter diving represented Conner Pruitt's last event as a collegiate diver and the Opelika native didn't disappoint. Focused from start to finish in prelims, Pruitt threw down a 380.15 to qualify 13th and earn a spot in the consolation finals.
Ten minutes later Pruitt was back on the boards for his second list. Bettering his effort from the prelims, Pruitt eclipsed 400 points for the fourth time this season and moved his way up to 11th and All-America Honorable mention honors.
Head coach Ryan Wochomurka rolled the same crew out for 400 medley relay as he did last month at SECs. Nate Stoffle, Reid Mikuta, Aidan Stoffle and Kalle Makinen combined for a 3:03.76 to grab the fourth fastest time in program history, 12th place and All-America Honorable Mention honors for the quartet.
UP NEXT
The final day of competition includes the 1650, 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 200 fly, platform diving and 400 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+.
Record falls as Tigers continue strong showing at NCAA Championships
