Lee, Makarova power Auburn to huge night at NCAA Championships

ATHENS, Ga. – Two First Team All-Americans in Meghan Lee (100 fly) and Anastasia Makarova (100 breast) highlighted one of the biggest nights at the NCAA Championships in recent memory for Auburn.
 
With 49 points (18th place) the Tigers have now scored the most since 2019 and the most under head coach Ryan Wochomurka.
 
Lee went sub-51 seconds for just the second time in her career in the morning, qualifying fifth overall with a 50.81. The Timonium, Maryland product would swim even faster in the first A final of her career, crashing in at 50.72 to take fifth overall.
 
Fueled by Lee's firepower, Makarova conjured a record-breaking 100 breast (58.15), delivering a second Tiger into an A final on Friday. She'd dip under 59 seconds once more at 58.94 to finish eighth overall.
 
Earning First Team All-America Honors, Lee and Makarova become the first Auburn individuals to do so since Aly Tetzloff and Sonnele Oeztuerk did it in 2019. It was also the first such honors on the women's under Wochomurka.
 
Not to be outdone, Kensley Merrit, Makarova, Lee and Polina Nevmovenko conjured the second-fastest 400 medley relay in Auburn history, combining for a 3:29.45. The mark was good enough for 11th place overall and a major haul of points.
 
In the morning session, Kensley Merritt moved up to fifth all-time in the 100 back with a 51.64. Ellie Waldrep also swam well, hitting the wall at a season best time of 51.81.
 
Russian international Polina Nevmovenko also delivered a personal best in the 200 free. Her 1:44.17 was more than a half second faster than her previous career best.
 
Averee Preble grabbed 48th in the 200 free at 1:47.82 and Hannah Ownbey finished 27th with a 4:10.60 in the 400 IM.
 
ALL-AMERICAN HONORS (8 athletes, 14 honors)
Lawson Ficken (200 MR HM)
Elizaveta Klevanovich (200 FR HM)
Meghan Lee (200 MR HM, 100 fly, 400 MR HM)
Anastasia Makarova (200 MR HM, 100 breast, 400 MR HM)
Kensley Merritt (400 MR HM)
Lexie Mulvihill (200 MR HM, 200 FR HM)
Polina Nevmovenko (200 FR HM, 400 MR HM)
Emma Steckiel (200 FR HM)
 
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Saturday, March 23
9 a.m. CT – 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 200 fly (prelims)
11 a.m. CT – Platform diving (prelims)
2:45 p.m. CT – 1650 heats
4:15 p.m. CT – Platform diving (consolation finals)
5 p.m. CT – 1650, 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 200 fly, Platform diving, 400 FR (finals)