AUBURN, Ala. – For the eighth time in program history, Auburn will play host to both the Men's and Women's SEC Swimming and Diving Championships, Feb. 19-24.
Action inside James E. Martin Aquatic Center begins on Monday, Feb. 19 with Men's 1-meter diving. Fans unable to make it to the Plains can follow the action on Meet Mobile. Each session will also be streamed live on SEC Network Plus.
Head coach Ryan Wochomurka brings his men's and women's squad into this year's meet, each with a top 15 ranking. The men sit at No. 10 according to the latest CSCAA Coaches Poll while the women carry a No. 15 ranking.
Entering SECs Auburn women account for eight swims that rank in the top 25 in the nation. Senior Meghan Lee owns three of such swims. Her 200 back, 100 fly and 200 fly times are all amongst Division I's best.
Averee Preble produced one of the fastest times of her life in the mile swim at the UGA Fall Invite. Her 16:05.22 was just over four seconds from a personal best and ranks No. 13 in the country.
Backstrokers Kensley Merritt and Ellie Waldrep each rank in the top 25 in the 100 back.
Perhaps most impressive are Hannah Ownbey's efforts in the 200 and 400 IMs. Her 200 time ranks 20th in the nation entering this week while her 400 performance is 15th.
On the men's side, the tag team of brothers Nate Stoffle and Aidan Stoffle have dominated the backstroke events throughout 2023-24. Aidan owns the fourth-best time in the country in the 200 back and the seventh-fastest in the 100 back. Meanwhile, Nate enters the week with the sixth-best mark in the 100 back and the eighth-fastest swim in the 200.
The two have also etched their names in the Auburn record books. At 44.89, Nate sits atop the 100 back performers on the Plains while Aidan's 1:38.57 in the 200 back is also a program record.
Distance events have belonged to Mason Mathias this season. His 4:11.03 in the 500 free at the UGA Invite broke the school record he held from last season's NCAAs. It's also the second-fastest time in the nation in 2023-24.
Michael Bonson also boasts a top 15 time in the 500 free, entering the week at No. 13.
German international Danny Schmidt brings his speed to the IM events for Wochomurka. His 400 IM time ranks 10th in Division I.
Auburn's relay strength has not dissipated from last season. Wochomurka's Tigers boast the fifth-fastest 400 medley relay in the country and the No. 10 400 free relay.
When it comes to diving, head coach John Fox's crew are starting to round into form.
Abigail Farrar, Ashlynn Sullivan, Whit Andrus, Talan Blackmon and Hunter Kebler all own zones scores in each of the three disciplines. Kyleigh Kidd has qualifying marks on both springboards and Kayla Walsh boasts zones cuts on 3-meter and Platform.
Sullivan's 330.60 against Alabama is the fifth-best 3-meter score in the SEC so far this season and her 261.45 is No. 4 in the conference.
Andrus owns the second-highest score in the SEC this season with a 391.58 and the third-best 1-meter effort at 379.88. Hunter Kebler's 396.68 on the tower is the No. 2 overall score in the SEC.
AUBURN AT THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIPS
Between the men's and women's teams, Auburn has won 23 SEC Swimming and Diving Championships (18 men, 5 women). From 1997 to 2012, the men boasted 16 consecutive titles.
The last individual SEC Champion for the Tigers was Alison Maillard on the 1-meter springboard in 2020. Auburn also claimed the 200 free and 400 free relays that year.
For the men, Zach Apple's 50 free title in 2018 was the last time the Orange and Blue stood atop the podium.
Last season, the Auburn men rocketed up the leaderboard to finish second overall with 1089.5 points. It was the best finish and the highest point total since 2016. The women finished seventh with 688 points. While the finish was the same from 2022, the 688 points were the most since 2020.
FULL SCHEDULE
Monday, Feb. 19 (Men's 1-meter, Women's Team Diving)
11 a.m. CT - Prelims (Consolation finals immediately after)
4:20 p.m. CT - Finals
Tuesday, Feb. 20 (Women's 3-meter, Men's Team Diving 200 MR, 800 FR)
11 a.m. CT - Prelims (Consolation finals immediately after)
5 p.m. CT - Finals
Wednesday, Feb. 21 (Men's 3-meter, 200 FR, 500 free, 200 IM, 50 free)
9:30 a.m. CT - Prelims
Noon CT - Diving prelims (Consolation finals immediately after)
5:30 p.m. CT - Finals
Thursday, Feb. 22 (Women's 1-meter, 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free)
9:30 a.m. CT - Prelims
Noon CT - Diving prelims (Consolation finals immediately after)
5:30 p.m. CT - Finals
Friday, Feb. 23 (Men's Platform, 200 fly, 100 back, 100 breast, 400 MR)
9:30 a.m. CT - Prelims
11:30 a.m. CT - Diving prelims (Consolation finals immediately after)
5:30 p.m. CT - Finals
Saturday, Feb. 24 (Women's Platform, 1650 free, 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 400 FR)
9:30 a.m. CT - Prelims
11:30 a.m. CT - Diving prelims (Consolation finals immediately after)
2:30 p.m. CT - 1650 heats
5:30 p.m. CT - Finals
UP NEXT
Auburn will stay on the Plains for one last competition, hosting the Last Chance Meet March 1-2. It will be the Tigers' final opportunity to gain ground on qualifying times before the National Championships later in the month.
