GREENSBORO, N.C. — On day one of the NC State Invite, Auburn swimming posted seven top-10 swims in program history, plus a slew of career-bests to kick off the event on the right foot inside the Greensboro Aquatic Center on Thursday.
Out of the gate, it was Lora Komoroczy in the 100 fly who flexed her muscles. A 52.12 was a season-best for the sophomore as Carissa Rinard (52.72) also made the A final. Morgan Carteaux (52.99), Izzy Iwasyk (53.24) and Taylor Bacher (53.35) all made the B final. Meanwhile, Ellis Fox (53.41) slid into the C final.
Abdalla Nasr got the crowd going on the men’s side. His 45.75 was good enough to qualify fourth overall, just ahead of teammate Sohib Khaled (45.85). Bradford Johnson (46.60) and Luke Bedsole (47.10) both made the B final, while Sam Empey (47.31) made the C final.
In the evening session, it was Khaled who led his squad with a season-best 45.54 to take second overall. Johnson would go on to finish in fifth place at 46.27.
A trio of Auburn swimmers claimed spots in the women’s 400 IM A final. Maggie McGuire led the morning group with a 4:14.10, with Sammie Hamilton (4:20.03) and Audrey Crawford (4:20.21) taking seventh and eighth, respectively. Coco Croxford (4:24.01) locked in a spot in the C final.
Hamilton bested the pack in the evening’s finals, conjuring a 4:16.70 to finish fifth.
Freshman Luke Waldrep made waves in the men’s race. His 3:44.28 jumped Waldrep to the No. 7 performer in program history for the time being. Meanwhile, Maston Ballew climbed to the No. 10 spot with a 3:45.73. Mack Schumann (3:48.06) and Danny Schmidt (3:49.45) all locked in places in the A final as well.
Schumman, however, proved to make the most moves in finals. His 3:44.25 leapfrogged Waldrep to overtake the No. 7 spot.
Bella Ekk (1:45.72) and Wyllo Hanson (1:46.54) both claimed A final positions in the morning of the 200 free. Lilly Gault Abdella (1:47.64) and Julia Strojnowska (1:48.27) each qualified for the B final.
Mid-distance specialist Daniel Krichevsky cruised to a spot in the A final with a 1:33.27 in the morning alongside teammate Warner Russ (1:33.80). In finals, Krichevsky lowered his No. 3 spot in program history with a blistering 1:32.18. Russ would pass legend Rowdy Gaines with a 1:33.62.
Four Tigers moved their way into the A final of the women’s 100 breast. Annika Finzen (1:00.61), Zoe Zeller (1:00.63), Hanna Schmidt (1:00.83) and Kiia Metsakonkola (1:00.85) made up half the final. Zeller would drop the most time in the evening, sliding into fourth at 1:00.27.
Uros Zivanovic momentarily moved to the No. 10 spot with a 52.58 in the morning. However, freshman Maston Ballew overtook Zivanovic with a 52.56 in finals.
Auburn relays were just as fast on Thursday. Komoroczy, Metsakonkola, Iwasyk and Elizaveta Klevanovich combined for the second-fastest 200 medley relay in school history at 1:34.94.
Meanwhile, Ivan Tarasov, Zivanovic, Khaled and Kalled Makinen went for a 1:22.72 for the fifth-fastest time in program history to outpace everyone.