Alabama
Auburn Invitational
Alabama Swimming and Diving Closes Auburn Invitational with a Trio of Wins
2/10/2019 5:38:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
Overall, the Crimson Tide earned 12 wins during the three-day meet and took first and second in eight events
AUBURN, Ala. – Alabama swimming and diving closed out the Auburn Invitational with a trio of wins Sunday afternoon, including a 1-2-3 sweep of the men's 100 freestyle and a 1-2 finish in the men's 200 breaststroke in the James E. Martin Aquatic Center.
Freshman Jonathan Berneburg led the way for the Crimson Tide in the 100 freestyle, posting a 43.54 in finals after touching the wall with a 43.09 in prelims. Freshman Colton Stogner (44.21) and sophomore Jack Blake (44.34) were second and third, respectively. Sophomores Richard Mikki (1:57.17) and Josh Lenzmeier (1:58.22), swept the top-spots in the 200 breaststroke. Freshman Ryan Ratliff added a win in the 1,650 freestyle after touching the wall with a 15:17.35, more than five seconds ahead of the field. He also turned in a seaosn-best 9:15.58 in the 1,000 freestyle on the way out in the mile.Â
Overall, the Crimson Tide earned 12Â wins during the three-day meet and took first and second in eight events.
"We had some really great performances throughout the weekend," UA head coach Dennis Pursley said. "We had several swimmers who made big drops in their lifetime best times. We also had several folks who put themselves in a position, where if they can go those kinds of times again in a week at the conference meet, they should be in a position to score."
Junior Allie Surrency and senior Caroline Beene, finished second and third, respectively, in the women's 100 freestyle, with Surrency clocking a 49.59 and Beene turning in a 50.19. Alabama was also second and third in the women's 200 breaststroke, with senior Marian Yurchishin posting a 2:15.58 to take second, while sophomore Mallory Underwood was third with a 2:16.50.
Sophomore Tori VanBuskirk took third in the women's 200 backstroke with a time of 2:00.78, while freshman Catherine Wright was third in the women's 200 butterfly after posting a 2:02.66, just off her 2:02.33 in prelims.
Alabama's men earned a 3-4-5 finish in the 200 butterfly, with sophomore Cade Auerbach (1:47.69) taking third, followed by freshman Cole Brown (1:48.91) and sophomore Christian Strycker (1:48.92).
"Now, as coaches, we have to go back and finalize the entries for the conference meet," Pursley said. "A weekend like this makes some of the choices much harder, but that's obviously a good problem to have."
With the conclusion of the regular season, Alabama has the week off before opening the Southeastern Conference Championships in Athens, Ga., on February 19.
"It was just a good weekend up and down the roster," Pursley said. "Even those who might not be in a position to make the conference squad, made some big steps forward and that kind of progress will help us down the road."
For all the latest information on the Alabama swimming and diving teams, follow AlabamaSwimDive on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. General Alabama Athletics news can be found @UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Athletics on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
