Auburn Crushes Crimson Tide

AUBURN, Alabama, November 20. ON the eve of the Iron Bowl, the Auburn swimming and diving teams continued to turn in strong performances and improved times to remain undefeated this season. The No. 1 AU men defeated Alabama 142-91 and the No. 2 Tiger women were victorious 144-79.

"We have continued to train hard and I think tonight's performances showed that we have continued to improve and the excitement of the Auburn-Alabama rivalry," AU head coach David Marsh commented.

Among numerous standout performances, two stood out above the rest as junior Hayley Peirsol picked up Auburn's second 'A' cut of the season in the 500 free (4:45.33) after swimming back-to-back events. Before her 500 free, Peirsol competed in the 200 back.

"Hayley has really been in a groove since this summer's international competitions," co-women's head coach Dorsey Tierney-Walker said. "The important aspect of her performance tonight was just consistency. She was right around the same time last week and at this point in the season we really look for consistency from meet-to-meet. With her swimming right before the 500 free, I think it is a testament to the kind of physical shape that she is in."

In diving action, newcomer Corey Lynn Gerlach turned in a new Auburn record on the 3-meter with a personal best score of 333.30. This was Gerlach's first collegiate victory. Teammate Lynnsey Segraves held the record heading into the competition which she set last weekend at Virginia (320.35). Segraves ended up second on the 3-meter board with a score of 303.22.

On the men's side, sophomore Shai Livnat picked up his first 'B' cut of the season in the 200 free with a winning time of 1:38.10. He went on to finish second in the 100 free (46.05). Also showing improvement was junior Sean Osborne who captured the 200 IM title with a season best time of 1:51.52. Montgomery, Ala., native John Scott picked up the win in the 200 fly with a time of 1:50.22.

Auburn's women swept five events and the Tiger men took the top three places in two events, before both team's exhibitioned the last two events (200 breast and 200 free relay). Diver Steve Segerlin continued his double win streak on both 1- and 3-meter's with zone qualifying scores as he was just coming off a minor ankle injury from last week.

The Auburn swim team concluded the 2005 dual meet season but will continue training for the US Open to be held at the James E. Martin Aquatics Center in Auburn on Dec. 1-3. The dive squad will travel to Athens, Ga., on Dec. 2-4, for the Bulldog Invitational.

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