AUBURN, Ala. – A busy day of swimming and diving on the Plains ended with several personal and season bests as well as a top-10 performance from Job Vanzandt in the 200 free.
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Head coach Ryan Wochomurka couldn't have been happier with Friday's morning session.
Drew Jordan got the crowd going in the 500 free. His 4:21.91 in the 500 free was a personal best for the Alabama native.
While Danny Schmidt made sure to take the crown in the 200 IM, it was freshman Harrison Ranier who managed a personal best 1:47.28.
No one got the Orange and Blue fans going more than Jon Vanzandt, though. His 1:33.88 in the 200 free time trial jumps the sophomore to No. 8 all-time at Auburn. Vanzandt has now dropped more than 10 seconds in the event since arriving at Auburn.
Britton Spann and Lucas Thomas each solidified personal bests during the time trials as well. Spann went 1:57.76 in the 200 breast. Meanwhile, Thomas hit the wall at 1:44.18 in the 200 fly for an NCAA B cut.
Not to be outdone, Talan Blackmon put together an insane list on the 3-meter springboard for a personal best of 341.03.
Freshman Harrison Ranier clocked a 3:52.60 in the 400 IM to finish second, Collin Klingman was close behind in fourth with Britton Spann taking fifth.
The personal best party wasn't quite done. Sohib Khaled swam a 46.04 in the 100 fly to earn a victory. Aidan Stoffle took third while Lucas Thomas and Nate Stoffle rounded out the top five.
Ryan Husband found the 1:33s again in the 200 free. His 1:33.62 paced the field as Benjamin Chateigner was close behind at 1:34.37. After his morning swim, Jon Vanzandt delivered a solid 1:34.38 to take third.
It was another win for Henry Bethel in the 100 breast, cruising to victory at 53.38. Alejandro Flores and Liam Heary would take third and fourth, respectively.
Capping off the evening, Tate Cutler dropped a new best time in the 100 back at 47.40. Andrew Simmons was right behind in second.
WOMEN
The Auburn women kicked off the day with a solid 1:28.46 in the 200 free relay thanks to stellar splits from Lexie Mulvihill, Emma Steckiel, Lawson Ficken and Elizaveta Klevanovich.
Meghan Lee tried her hand at the 200 IM and turned in a 1:58.41 for a season-best time.
Polina Nevmovenko matched Lee's season best in the 50 free, hitting the wall at 22.78.
Senior Hannah Ownbey was on fire in the 100 breast. Her 1:00.98 was a lifetime best for the Greer, South Carolina product.
Over in the diving well, Kayla Walsh wasn't going to be left on a day of personal bests. Her 310.43 on the 3-meter was her career high and an NCAA Zones score.
Swimming the 400 IM for the first time in college, freshman Katie Russell notched a 4:21.15 to finish second overall.
Auburn was dominant in the 100 fly. Rookie Morgan Carteaux hit the was at an impressive 53.14 to finish second while Ellie Waldrep, Avery Bargeron and Lexie Mulvihill rounded out the top five.
Meghan Lee dropped over three seconds in the 200 free for a 1:45.64. Kensley Merritt and Hannah Ownbey also dropped time in the event to take second and third.
In the 100 breast, Anastasia Makarova made her way to the winner's circle with a 1:00.58. However, it was Olivia Dinehart's 1:00.83 that gave the crowd another personal best time to cheer about.
Edging out freshman Jade Castro, Kyla Maloney grabbed a win in the 100 back at 53.40. Castro's 53.59 was a new best time for the Pennsylvania native. Michelle Kaner would hit the wall third.
UP NEXT
The Orange and Blue reset for one more day of action at the AU Invite as well as the First Chance Meet. The action begins in James E. Martin Aquatic Center at 10 a.m. CT. Doors open at 9 a.m. CT and admission is free to the public. Live results will be published on Meet Mobile.
