BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – It's only one week into the season and the Auburn Swim and Dive team is already making waves. Senior Kensley Merritt and freshman Harrison Ranier have been named SEC Women's Swimmer of the Week and SEC Men's Freshman of the Week, respectively, the conference announced Tuesday.
Merritt, the Huntersville, North Carolina product was part of an elite group of Tigers that saw their first competition at the SMU Classic in Dallas, Texas over the weekend. Merritt turned heads in the 100 back when she hit the wall with a personal best of 52.59. Winning the B flight, the senior's time was the fastest of the meet, the third-quickest in the country and an NCAA B cut.
She would return to the pool in the 200 back to post a 1:55.73, another B flight victory and the second-fastest in the nation. Merritt also aided the Auburn 800 free relay squad that finished third, all in an effort that saw the Tigers finish third overall in an early-season, high-stakes meet.
While Merritt was busy garnering much-deserved attention in Dallas, freshman Harrison Ranier posted a performance to remember in a two-day dual at Louisville in his first outing as a member of the Orange and Blue.
Ranier, a fellow North Carolinian, did a lot of the heavy lifting as the Tigers bested the Cardinals 202-151. The youngster's weekend saw two wins and three third-place finishes.
An IM specialist, Ranier won his first individual event in the 400 IM, clocking in at a personal best of 3:52.15. A day later, his 200 IM time of 1:48.50 was also the fastest of his career and another Auburn victory.
He would also grab third in both the 100 fly (48.24) and the 200 back (1:48.90). Ranier was also part of a solid 200 free relay squad that scored important points during the bout.
Head coach Ryan Wochomurka and the Tigers will be back in the pool during the War Eagle Invite as the team prepares for an epic championships season that includes hosting the SEC Championships at James E. Martin Aquatics Center Feb. 19-24.