Auburn Wins All Four Relays in Sweep of Kentucky
After a tough loss to South Carolina last week, the Auburn women bounced back in their trip to Kentucky, scoring a 163-137 victory while the Tiger men won 179-121 over the Wildcats.
The Auburn women kicked off the meet with Lora Komoroczy, Stasya Makarova, Abigail Gibbons and Lawson Ficken winning the 200 medley relay in 1:37.85. Polina Nevmovenko captured the first individual victory for Auburn in the 200 freestyle, clocking 1:47.07, and Komoroczy topped the 100 backstroke (52.62).
In the sprint freestyle events, Lisa Klevanovich took first in the 50 free (22.79), and after Kate Murray finished one hundredth behind Klevanovich in the splash-and-dash, she returned to win the 100 free (49.00). Julia Strojnowska edged Kentucky’s Libby Grether the 500 free (4:49.16).
Gibbons came out on top in a tight the 100 fly (53.06), and to conclude the meet, two Auburn teams tied for first in the 200 free relay, both clocking 1:30.65. Ficken, Klevanovich, Nevmovenko and Wyllo Hanson swam on the A-team while the B-team consisted of Murray, Morgan Carteaux, Isabella Ekk and Gibbons.
Kentucky’s Libby Grether won the 1000 free in 9:50.08. Bridget Engel edged Makarova in the 100 breaststroke, 1:00.40 to 1:00.59, and she returned to win the 200 breast (2:10.51). Billie Sherratt took first in the 200 fly (1:58.03), and Grace Frericks was the top finisher in the 200 back (1:54.85). In diving, Avery Giese won 1-meter (292.05), and Abby Devereaux won on 3-meter (309.09).
For the men, Nate Stoffle, Henry Bethel, Kalle Makinen and Logan Tirheimer placed first in the 200 medley relay (1:24.70). Stoffle dominated the 100 back (46.43) and 200 back (1:43.90), with Makinen winning the 50 free (19.45) and 100 free (43.64).
Ryan Husband took first in the 200 free (1:35.09), and Jacques Rathle held on to finish first in the 200 breast (1:58.19). Sohib Khaled won the 100 fly (46.80), and Whit Andrus took first in 3-meter diving (355.20). Makinen, Husband, Tirheimer and Jon Vanzandt took first in the 200 free relay (1:18.19).
For Kentucky, Carson Hick continued his impressive season by topping the 1000 free (8:46.08), and he returned to win the 500 free (4:18.62). Veteran teammate Levi Sandidge placed first in both events. Adomas Gatulis took first in the 100 breast (53.79), and Ryan Merani was the winner of the 200 fly (1:43.79) and 200 IM (1:46.08). In diving, Sam Duncan won the 1-meter event (358.95)