SEC Weekly Analysis: Auburn Enters SEC Title Conversation

Photo Courtesy: Auburn Athletics

By Dan D’Addona.

Who is going to win the SEC men’s title? Georgia? Florida? Alabama? Missouri? How about the women? Georgia? Texas A&M?

There are plenty of teams that can throw a curve into this mix with ranked teams like Tennessee, LSU and Kentucky, but one team proved this weekend that it is going to be right in the thick of things.

The Auburn Tigers split a dual meet with Florida this weekend with the No. 14 women dominating the No. 20 Gators 197-103 and the No. 6 men being edged by No. 10 Florida 163-137.

It was a statement meet for the Auburn women especially. They were out to prove someone could catch Georgia and Texas A&M, and while they might not be quite to that level, with the help of other teams throwing wrinkles into the competition at the SEC meet, the Tigers will be a huge factor.

There are so many great teams and great swimmers in the SEC that just about anything could happen. The Auburn men winning is still one of those things, even with the loss to Florida. The SEC is so even on the men’s side that there will be a dozen scenarios that could play out. That is what makes the SEC so exciting.

Here is what happened in the Florida-Auburn dual:

Samuel Smith led the way for the Gators on the boards, winning 1-meter with 348.53 points and the 3-meter with 388.20 points.

Caeleb Dressel touched first in his three events — the 50 free (19.21), 100 fly (46.35) and 100 free (42.64).

Maxime Rooney, Mitch D’Arrigo and Ben Lawless finished off the Gator freestyle sweep. Rooney won the 200 free in 1:35.84, D’Arrigo the 500 free in 4:26.36 and Lawless the 1,000 free in 9:07.61.

Jan Switkowski won the 200 fly at 1:46.07.

Auburn’s Joe Patching made it a backstroke double with a win in the 100 (47.28) and 200 (1:43.92). Patching then closed out his final dual meet with his fourth win this season in the 200 IM (1:46.19). The win was his 50th individual event win during his Auburn career.

Michael Duderstadt also racked up a breaststroke sweep, winning the 100 in 54.57 and the 200 in 1:58.84.

In the women’s meet, Auburn’s Ashley Neidigh earned a distance sweep, winning the 1,000 free (9:42.20), and the 500 free in a season-best 4:47.9. Natasha Lloyd earned her fourth breaststroke sweep of the season, winning the 100 in 1:02.20 and the 200 in 2:14.57. Aly Tetzloff won the 100 back (53.71) and the 200 IM (2:00.79). Julie Meynen remained undefeated in the 100 free (49.30).

Sydney Sell had the lone Florida women’s individual win, placing first in the 200 back at 1:59.30.

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