ATHENS, Ga. – Five more All-American Honors highlighted the final day of the 2024 Women's NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships for the Auburn Tigers inside Gabrielsen Natatorium. Finishing with 54 points, head coach Ryan Wochomurka's crew snagged 19th place, its highest finish since 2019.
"I'm really proud of this group here in Athens, the way they fought all week," said Wochomurka. "To produce all year long like they have, finish in the top four in the SEC and to be top 20 in the country is something special. It's what we set out to do in September and I'm glad that we arrived at that.
"This meet is a marathon. There are a lot of ups and downs. Some things go your way and some things don't. The best way to make sure things go your way is to put yourself in the very best position that you can, and they did a tremendous job of that."
Fresh off a First Team All-American performance on Friday night in the 100 fly, Meghan Lee went back to work in the 200 fly on Saturday morning. A 1:54.83 was good enough to get the senior into the B final by just 0.07 seconds.
In the evening session, Lee swam a 1:55.07 to take 16th overall and earn her fourth All-American honor of the meet.
Lee and the Tigers weren't quite done, however. Capping off the meet in style, Polina Nevmovenko, Elizaveta Klevanovich, Lexie Mulvihill and Lee swam the ninth-fastest 400 free relay in school history to place 15th.
Kensley Merritt wrapped up her illustrious career for the Orange and Blue, finishing 30th in the 200 back with a 1:54.20 in prelims. Ellie Waldrep would follow right behind in 35th with a 1:54.67. Freshman Maggie McGuire swam a 1:55.19 to end her first NCAA Championships in 41st.
In the 100 free, Polina Nevmovenko was just off her personal best during prelims, clocking a 48.26 to grab 32nd.
Both Hannah Ownbey and Anastasia Makarova swam well in the 200 breast. Ownbey finished 43rd with a 2:11.68 while Makarova hit the wall 46th with a 2:11.74.
Fifth-year Averee Preble also solidified her stellar Auburn career with one last mile swim. A 16:11.93 left her
In the diving well, Abigail Farrar grabbed 26th with a 234.35, while teammate Ashlynn Sullivan finished her career with a 218.95 and 37th place.
"I have to give a huge hats off and thank you to our senior class and fifth-years Averee Preble and Ashlynn Sullivan," Wochomurka said. "They led the way in this all year long. We had exceptional performances from Meghan Lee, Hannah Ownbey, Kensley Merritt, Elizaveta Klevanovich and Emma Steckiel.
"What I appreciated the most was they were at their best when their best was required. They've left a tremendous legacy for what's coming as we continue to climb up the ranks in the SEC and in the nation. I'm proud of the entirety of our program and grateful for the support that we get from an administrative level. War Eagle!"
ALL-AMERICAN HONORS (8 athletes, 18 honors)
Lawson Ficken (200 MR HM)
Elizaveta Klevanovich (200 FR HM, 400 FR HM)
Meghan Lee (200 MR HM, 100 fly, 400 MR HM, 200 fly HM, 400 FR HM)
Anastasia Makarova (200 MR HM, 100 breast, 400 MR HM)
Kensley Merritt (400 MR HM)
Lexie Mulvihill (200 MR HM, 200 FR HM, 400 FR HM)
Polina Nevmovenko (200 FR HM, 400 MR HM 400 FR, HM)
Emma Steckiel (200 FR HM)
UP NEXT
Attention now turns to Indianapolis, Indiana when the men take on the NCAA Championships March 27-30.
Auburn women solidify top 20 finish at NCAA Championships
