AUBURN, Ala. – It was another day of fast times and high marks for Auburn swimming and diving at the Auburn Invitational on Saturday, but it was also a day to recognize the senior class and everything they've done for the program.
The group of 12 seniors was honored before the first event. It included Auburn women Carly Cummings, Emily Hetzer, Mykenie Leehy, Hannah Newby, Devan Sweeney, Valerie Tarazi and Regan Weakley, as well as Aryan Makhija, Conner Pruitt, Christian Sztolcman, Adriel Sanes and Matthew Yish from the men's team.
"It was an opportunity to celebrate the senior class that has endured coaching changes, pandemics and everything else in between," Auburn head coach Ryan Wochomurka said. "And yet, they have really been the core around what we're trying to build here and leaving a great legacy for this program far into the future.
"I'm excited and proud for them and the way they performed this weekend and excited to see what they'll do in a week and a half at SECs."
For the second straight day in the pool, there were personal-best times and B-cut swims for Auburn as they ramp up for the SEC Championships.
On the women's side, Avery Bargeron swam a personal best in the 200 butterfly. With a time of 1:55.99, the freshman is sixth-fastest in the SEC this season, and she is also eighth-fastest in Auburn history in the event.
Leehy, Claudia Thamm, Rebekah Hamilton and Lexie Mulvihill all earned B cuts in the 100 freestyle, and Thamm and Mulvihill set new personal bests.
Freshman Anastasia Makarova put in another strong performance in the 200 breaststroke, finishing in 2:11.47 to move into 10th on Auburn's all-time list. Makarova is now top 10 in program history in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke.
Tarazi set a PR in the 200 breaststroke with a B-cut time of 2:12.22.
For the men, the trio of Logan Tirheimer, Aidan Stoffle and Ryan Husband all earned B cuts in the 100 freestyle. Tirheimer (43.12) and Husband (43.71) swam personal bests.
Other B cuts included freshman Andrew Simmons in the 200 backstroke, sophomore Evan McInerny in the 200 butterfly, and three Tigers – Michael Bonson, Grant Davis and Sam Oliver – in the 1650 freestyle.
DIVING
The divers wrapped up the Auburn Invitational on platform Saturday, and it was another standout day for sophomore Hunter Kebler who scored 381.45 to take second. It was an NCAA Zone qualifying score and a new personal best.
Kebler also put up a personal best score Friday in the 1-meter competition.
UP NEXT
This was the final tune-up for Auburn before the SEC Championships, which are set to begin Tuesday, Feb. 15 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Unlike last year, the four-day conference meet will feature both the men and the women together this year.
S&D celebrates seniors on final day of Auburn Invitational
