KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Friday was moving day in Knoxville and the Tigers made its largest jump of the week. Both Meghan Lee and the 400 medley relay squad boasted a top-16 finish and All-American honors.
In her two previous showings in the 400 IM, junior Hannah Ownbey never finished higher than 23rd. Ownbey's 4:11.04 was good enough for 21st on Friday, the best effort at NCAAs in her career.
Maryland native Meghan Lee has been trending in the right direction since SECs in College Station. A 51.20 put Lee 11th in the morning and earned the junior a second swim, the first individual to do so at this year's NCAA Championships.
Lee was just as impressive in the evening's finals. An identical 51.20 earned Lee 12th and All-America Honorable Mention honors. It's the first individual All-American since 2019 for Auburn and the first individual woman under head coach Ryan Wochomurka.
Both Polina Nevmovenko and Emily Hetzer took a crack at the 200 free. Nevmovenko checked in at 1:45.97 to snag 30th while Hetzer swam a 1:47.99 to finish 59th.
In the 100 breast, it was Auburn record-holder Anastasia Makarova who represented the Tiger's challenger in the race. Hitting the wall at 59.86, Makarova placed 29th.
Ellie Waldrep very nearly became the second swimmer wearing an Auburn cap to make a final on Friday. Her 51.75 was just .01 seconds off her personal best and left the Tennessee native in 17th. Lee was close to a double as well, clocking in at 51.97 for 20th and Daisy Platts rounded out the Tiger's backstroke contingent with a 52.65 and 31st place.
Waldrep was back to lead off the 400 medley relay in the evening session. Along with Makarova, Lee and Nevmovenko, the four combined for a 3:31.34. It was the seventh-fastest time in program history and good enough for 14th place, securing All-American Honorable Mention honors for the quartet.
UP NEXT
One more day of action remains in Knoxville. The final bout of competition features the 1650, 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 200 fly and 400 free relay. Prelims are scheduled for 9 a.m. CT and finals are slated for 5 p.m. CT. ESPN+ will have complete coverage of the championships.
Lee, 400 medley relay earn All-American honors on day 3 of NCAA Championships
