Maggie Bowen, Kristy Kowal and Amanda Weir Sparkle on Day One of Southern Sectionals

AUBURN, Albama, July 29. A healthy mixture of seasoned veterans and fast-rising youth turned in fast times on the first day of the Southern Sectionals at Auburn University.

Veteran Maggie Bowen won the women's 800 free, fighting off young Elizabeth Hill from Dynamo. Bowen
worked up a little more than a body length lead going into the last 150, then Hill started to make her move. Bowen held of the 16 year old touching in 8:50.19 with Hill touching .06 later.

On Thursday, another veteran, Kristy Kowal, used a stong breaststroke leg to take the 200IM ahead of Dynamo's Melissa Klein, 2:17.88 to 2:19.97.

In the next event, 50 free, youth won over the veteran athlete with SwimAtlanta's Amanda Weir finishing in a PR 25.78, over a half second faster than top prelim qualifier Becky Short.

In the final event on Thursday, Hill, Spring
national champion in the 200 fly, won that event in 2:13.82.

In the men's competition, Auburn University swimmers were dominant. BJ Jones won the 800 free; Auburn's James Galloway touched out SwimAtlanta's and Auburn-bound freshman Eric Shanteau, 2:05.39 to 2:05.88; Junior Derek Gibb, and Sophomore Ryan Wochomurka finished 1 – 2 in the 50 free at 23.54 and 23.59 respectively.

In the 200 fly, Tennessee's George duRand fought
off James Salazar of Georgia Tech to break the Auburn hold on the top finishers in senior national times of 2:03.60 and 2:03.84.

The meet is very fast with 43 senior national cuts just through the first eight events.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x