AUBURN, Ala. – The Vanderbilt swimming team wrapped up the SEC Championships on Saturday at the James E. Aquatic Center notching one school record and 14 personal records to conclude their time in Auburn.
“Overall, a great week,” Vanderbilt head coach Jeremy Organ said. “We had some great highlights this week with Lizzy (Colwell) setting the school record and the team racing multiple personal and season-best times. I’m very proud of the effort and work the team has put in to perform at the highest level.”
Vanderbilt opened the final day with the 200-yard backstroke with junior Lauren Bergmann pacing the Commodores at 2:01.46 to mark a season-best time.
Freshman Kristen Nutter notched a personal record in the 200 back, touching the wall at 2:05.22.
In the 100 free, freshman Allison Bauer led the Commodores at 51.58 to tab a season-best time followed by junior Abby Burke touching in at 51.95.
Seniors Nemo Sanchez and Paige Hamilton took to the pool for the final time as Commodores to race in the 100 free.
Hamilton finished in 52.37 to conclude her Vanderbilt career with a season-best time followed by Sanchez marking her season best in the event at 53.44.
The Dores wrapped up the preliminaries with three student-athletes racing personal bests in the 200 breast.
Junior Lindsey Gordon collected the Commodores’ top finish at 2:16.41 to mark her personal best in the event followed by freshman Alina Jones setting her second personal record of her SEC debut, touching in at 2:16.81.
“This has been my goal time for the past three years. There are no words to describe how good it feels to have your hard work finally off,” Gordon said. “My teammates have helped me reach my goal by challenging me in training every day and by encouraging me every step of the way.”
Krislyn Porter also claimed her top time with a 2:20.52 finish to conclude the prelims for the Commodores.
Vanderbilt returned to action in the evening to battle in the final event of the championships, the 400 free relay.
Bauer led the Dores in the first 100 to send off junior Kaley Buchanan at 51.25, marking her personal-best time in the event. Burke raced the third leg, touching the wall at 2:34.03. Sophomore Tonner DeBeer finished the race for the Dores at 3:26.16.
“My first SECs was an amazing experience,” Vanderbilt assistant coach Chelsea Bailey said. “I’m so proud of the girls and the team culture they’ve cultivated. It’s something I am so excited and proud to be a part of.”
Vanderbilt concludes the season with a 6-6 overall record.
Keep up with the Commodores in the off-season by following @VandySwimming on Twitter and Instagram.
