INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Night one of the 2024 Men's NCAA Championships couldn't have started any better for head coach Ryan Wochomurka and the No. 9 Auburn Tigers on Wednesday inside the IU Natatorium.
Two All-American efforts in the 200 medley and 800 free relays powered the Orange and Blue to 30 points and ninth place with three days of swimming to go.
Nate Stoffle, Henry Bethel, Sohib Khaled and Kalle Makinen kicked the meet off with a bang in the 200 medley relay. Auburn's quartet combined for a 1:22.57, the second-fastest swim in program history, taking eighth place overall and First Team All-America honors.
The eighth-place finish was the Tigers' best in the event at the NCAA Championships since 2016.
Minutes later, Mason Mathias, Danny Schmidt, Ryan Husband and Michael Bonson got their turn to show out in the 800 free relay. The Auburn record holders nearly delivered another race for the books on Wednesday.
At 6:12.16, the effort goes down as the third-fastest in program history and 13th overall.
Thursday brings the first individual events of the week as Wochomurka and the Tigers look to better last season's top 10 finish.
ALL-AMERICAN HONORS (8 athletes, 8 honors)
Henry Bethel (200 MR)
Michael Bonson (800 FR HM)
Ryan Husband (800 FR HM)
Sohib Khaled (200 MR)
Kalle Makinen (200 MR)
Mason Mathias (800 FR HM)
Danny Schmidt (800 FR HM)
Nate Stoffle (200 MR)
REMAINING SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday, March 28
9 a.m. CT – 500 free, 200 IM, 50 free (prelims)
5 p.m. CT – 500 free, 200 IM, 50 free, 200 FR (finals)
Friday, March 29
9 a.m. CT – 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breast, 100 back (prelims)
5 p.m. CT – 400 IM, 100 fly, 200 free, 100 breast, 100 back, 400 MR (finals)
Saturday, March 30
9 a.m. CT – 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 200 fly (prelims)
2:45 p.m. CT – 1650 heats
5 p.m. CT – 1650, 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 200 fly, 400 FR (finals)
Tigers off to hot start at 2024 Men’s NCAA Championships
