AUBURN, Ala. – Another day of action inside the James E. Martin Aquatic Center saw Ryan Wochomurka's Tigers put up another round of personal bests as Auburn barrels towards the SEC Championships in a little over a week.
MEN
It didn't take long for the men to start posting solid swims. Andrew Simmons kicked off the proceedings with a season-best in the 200 back, hitting the wall at 1:42.90. Josh Noll and Tate Cutler rounded out the top three.
Jon Vanzandt delivered the most electric swim on Friday and nearly did the same on Saturday in the 100 free. His 42.98 was another personal best. Aidan Stoffle and Logan Tirheimer followed close behind in the third and fourth, respectively.
Vanzandt would go sub-20 seconds for the first time in the 50 free during the First Chance meet, coming in at 19.75. Sohib Khaled also clocked a personal best 19.84.
Rounding out the sprints, Benjamin Chateigner also delivered a career best in the 100 free with a 43.57.
When it came to the 200 breast, Jacques Rathle led the way with a 1:57.79. Britton Spann hit the wall fourth and Liam Heary solidified fifth.
German international Danny Schmidt went a solid 1:45.00 in the 200 fly with teammate Evan McInerny on his heels at 1:45.77.
In the mile, Drew Jordan took second with a 15:39.47.
Diver Talan Blackmon added another PR to his total. The freshman went for a 316.10 on Platform for another zones score.
WOMEN
Ellie Waldrep kicked things off in the 200 back on Saturday morning, clocking a 1:55.77 to snag the win. Auburn's backstroke unit cleaned house as Jade Castro, Kyla Maloney, Maggie McGuire and Michelle Kaner took second through fifth, respectively.
Mid-year newcomer Elizaveta Klevanovich showed her speed in the 100 free, clocking a new career-best 48.80. Fellow countrywoman Polina Nevmovenko was right behind in second. Meanwhile, Emma Steckiel, Wyllo Hanson and Kensley Merritt rounded out the top five.
Brynn Curtis owned the 200 breast with a 2:11.75 while Hannah Ownbey managed a season-best 2:12.35. It was freshman Olivia Dinehart, though, who really got the crowd going in the afternoon during the First Chance meet, hitting the wall at 2:11.69 for her new best time.
The Tigers' first-years were on full display on Saturday as Carissa Rinard outraced everyone in the 200 fly with a time of 1:59.71. Avery Bargeron and Abigail Gibbons would follow right behind in second and third, respectively.
Katie Russell took a shot at the mile, outswimming everyone in the pool for a 17:00.62.
Fresh off a new PR yesterday on the springboards, Kayla Walsh doubled her tally on Saturday on the tower. Her 254.35 was a new career high and a zones score.
UP NEXT
Wochomurka and Co. now await the 2024 SEC Swimming and Diving Championships, hosted on the Plains for the first time since 2020. The meet is slated for the Feb. 19-24 inside James E. Martin Aquatic Center.
