The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Auburn
No. 6 Auburn edges No. 1 Men's Swimming and Diving, 125.5-117.5
01.14.2011 | Men's Swimming and Diving
Jan. 14, 2011
AUBURN, Ala. -- No. 1 Texas (2-1) picked up seven wins on the day, including two apiece from sophomores Nick D'Innocenzo and Michael McBroom, but No. 6 Auburn (2-1) edged the Longhorns by a 125.5-117.5 count Friday afternoon at Auburn's James E. Martin Aquatic Center.
Featuring two schools who have combined to win 11 of the last 12 NCAA Championship meets, the Texas-Auburn dual ranks among the finest annual meets in college swimming and diving. Friday's meet failed to disappoint. Auburn got off to a hot start with a one-two finish in the meet's opening event, the 400-yard medley relay. The Texas quartet of sophomore Cole Cragin, senior Scott Spann, and juniors Neil Caskey and Jimmy Feigen took third in a NCAA "B" cut of 3:16.17.
Texas cut into the Auburn lead in the next event, the 1,000 freestyle, where McBroom took first in 9:08.74. Senior Jim Robertson solidified a one-two Texas finish with a second-place time of 9:16.01. Freshman Matt Belecanech chipped in two points with a fourth-place mark of 9:34.23.
The Longhorns swept the top-three spots in the 200 freestyle, where sophomore Dax Hill was victorious with a NCAA "B" cut of 1:37.88. Senior Scott Jostes took second in 1:38.19, and junior Kyle McNeilis took third at 1:39.69. UT's Feigen added a second-place time of 19.93 in the 50 freestyle, and freshman Kerrington Hill took sixth place in 20.69.
D'Innocenzo chalked up another victory for the Horns in the 200 individual medley, where he posted a top time of 1:48.25, good for a NCAA "B" cut. Senior Bryan Collins placed fourth in 1:50.59, and sophomore Austin Surhoff took fifth in 1:51.32. Texas maintained its lead in the one-meter diving event, as junior Drew Livingston was victorious with 393.68 points. Freshman Will Chandler claimed third place with 340.80 points.
Texas maintained a 72-59 lead on account of Caskey's victory in the 200 butterfly at 1:47.20, good for a NCAA "B" cut. Freshman Miles Joye placed fifth in 1:51.26. But, Auburn began to make its move with consecutive victories in the 100 freestyle and 200 backstroke events. Feigen led Texas in the 100 freestyle with a second-place time of 44.32. Dax Hill placed fourth in 44.61. Auburn scored a one-two finish in the 200 backstroke, while UT's Surhoff led the Horns with a third-place time of 1:48.38. With its 15 points in the 200 backstroke, Auburn assumed a 87.5 to 81.5 lead.
Texas responded immediately with a one-two-three finish in the 500 freestyle, where it outscored Auburn, 16-3. McBroom led Texas once more with a first-place time of 4:30.43. Robertson placed second in 4:31.27, and McNeilis took third in 4:32.79.
Auburn reclaimed the lead with a one-two finish in the three-meter diving event. Livingston led the Horns with a third-place total of 349.50 points. Texas gained five points on Auburn and took a one-point lead after D'Innocenzo notched a narrow win over Auburn's Adam Klein in the 200 breaststroke. D'Innocenzo out-touched Klein in 1:56.96, while Klein finished in 1:57.05. Junior Eric Friedland placed third with a NCAA "B" cut of 1:58.39.
With only one point separating the two teams heading into the meet's final event, the 400 freestyle relay, the school that won the relay was assured of winning the meet. Auburn won the event in 2:57.12, while UT's Dax Hill, Jostes, Joye and Caskey placed second in 2:59.55.
Texas concludes its weekend road swing through the Southeastern Conference on Saturday when it takes on Georgia. The meet is set for a 1:30 p.m. Central start at UGA's Gabrielsen Natatorium.
