AUBURN, Ala. – Freshman Ethan Swart continued his stellar rookie season on the Plains, leading Auburn’s divers on day one of the AU Invitational on Wednesday inside James E. Martin Aquatics Center. Swart’s 331.90 on the 1-meter in finals was good enough for second place overall on a day that saw four Tigers earn second lists.
The Cicero, Indiana native kicked off the morning with a sturdy 317.05 in prelims to secure third place. Senior Whit Andrus wasn’t far behind, qualifying fourth with a 309.35.
Freshman Travis Keith and sophomore Talan Blackmon both made finals as well with a 283.70 and 282.70, respectively.
In finals, both Swart and Andrus dug deep to outperform their prelim scores. Swart dialed up a career-best 331.90 to take the silver. Andrus nearly caught his fellow Tiger with a 331.80 to slide into third.
Head diving coach John Fox and his crew also took another exhibition shot at the team events. Both the men’s and women’s squads took home first place. Abigail Farrar, Kyleigh Kidd and Emily Hallifax combined for a 349.70 to grab gold while Whit Andrus, Travis Keith and Talan Blackmon equaled the effort with a 348.50.
Day two of the Auburn Diving Invitational continues on Thursday, December 19 with the men’s 3-meter and women’s 1-meter competitions.
The remaining schedule of events for the AU Diving Invite is below:
Thursday, Dec. 19
10:30 a.m. CT – Men’s 3-meter (prelims and finals)
10:30 a.m. CT – Women’s 1-meter (prelims and finals)
Friday, Dec. 20
10:30 a.m. CT – Men’s Platform (prelims and finals)
10:30 a.m. CT – Women’s 3-meter (prelims and finals)
Saturday, Dec. 21
10 a.m. – Women’s Platform (prelims and finals)