Alabama
Auburn
Alabama Swimming and Diving Women Beat Auburn Friday Afternoon, 167-131
10/27/2017 4:51:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
Victory marks the Crimson Tide women’s first dual meet win over the Tigers since 1996
AUBURN, Ala. – The Alabama women's swimming and diving team won eight of 14 individual events and both relays to earn its first victory over Auburn since 1996 at Auburn on Friday afternoon by a score of 167-131.
"This was as much fun as I've had in a dual meet in a long time," UA head coach Dennis Pursley said. "It was absolutely a total team effort. Everyone got into it and fed off one another and really got after it. This is a big confidence boost for our women and brings a lot of credibility to the women's program."
On the men's side of the meet, despite winning both relays and five individual events, the Crimson Tide men fell 167.5-132.5 to the Tigers. Alabama's women are now 2-1 overall and 1-1 in Southeastern Conference competition while the Tide men are 1-2, 0-2 in the SEC. Alabama's women last upended the Tigers 75-65 on Jan. 27, 1996, in Auburn.
"I could not be more pleased with both teams and where we are heading into November," Pursley said. "I am really pleased with the intensity and passion they've brought to the meets, as well as the spirit and the racing. They've given it everything they've got and I couldn't ask any more of them."
The freshman duo of Leonie Kullmann and Flora Molnar produced four individual wins between them, with Kullman taking top honors in the 200 (1:47.43) and 500 (4:50.91) freestyles while Molnar won the 50 freestyle (22.41) and 100 butterfly (53.00). Senior Mia Nonnenberg and junior Justine Macfarlane also picked up two individual titles, each. Macfarlane won the 100 (1:01.72) and 200 (2:13.48) breaststrokes, while Nonnenberg won the 1,000 freestyle (10:01.78) and 400 individual medley (4:13.23).
The Tide women also won the opening and closing relays by healthy margins. Junior Katie Kelsoe, Macfarlane, Molnar and senior Bailey Scott combined to win the 200 medley relay in a tie of 1:38.59 while Molnar, senior Temarie Tomley, Kullmann and Scott won the 400 freestyle relay with a 3:19.01.
On the men's side of the meet, junior Robert Howard led the way with wins in the 200 (1:36.93) and 100 (43.36) freestyles. Senior Luke Kaliszak (100 backstroke/46.58), junior Laurent Bams (100 breaststroke/53.99) and sophomore Daniel Kober (500 freestyle/4:28.50) also picked up individual wins against the Tigers.
The men also swept the relays. Kaliszak, Bams, sophomore Christopher Staka and Howard combined for a 1:26.22 to win the 200 medley relay, while senior Christopher Reid, sophomore Zane Waddell, Howard and Bams won the 400 freestyle relay in a time of 2:53.61.
Alabama returns to action Nov. 16-18 at the Georgia Tech Invitational in Atlanta, Ga.
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