Auburn Swimmers Start Strong at Sectionals - AuburnTigers.com - Auburn University Official Athletic Site

Auburn Swimmers Start Strong at Sectionals Norys leads Auburn dominance of 50 freestyle

Katie Gardocki

July 14, 2011

ATHENS, Ga. - Several Auburn swimmers earned Olympic Trial qualifying times and put together numerous strong swims on the opening day of the Speedo Champions Series Eastern Sectionals on Thursday at the Gabrielsen Natatorium.

Kohlton Norys got the first win of the weekend for Auburn swimmers, clocking a 22.70 in the men's 50-meter freestyle to improve his Olympic Trials cut time, well under the qualifying standard of 23.49. Tiger swimmers took four of the top five spots in the race as Drew Modrov took second with a 23.00, Karl Krug was fourth with a 23.28, and Chris Manning was fifth in 23.42.

Auburn volunteer assistant Laure Manaudou, the 2004 Olympic gold medalist for France in the 400 freestyle, made her return to competitive swimming on Thursday after retiring from competition in 2009. With a time of 25.84 in the women's 50 freestyle, she took runner-up honors in the finals after posting the fastest preliminary time of 25.93. Hannah Riordan took fourth place in the 50 free finals with a 26.00. Tigers took four of the top five spots in the consolation final, with Emily Bos (26.57), Kelsey Winter (26.58), Becca Jones (26.73) and Haley Krakosky (26.82) posting strong times.

Kyle Owens posted the fastest time of the night in the 200 IM with a 2:03.98 to win the consolation final and comfortably post a Trials cut. Teammate Spencer Kerns took second in the consolation with a 2:06.36, also bettering the cut time of 2:06.59.

In the women's 200 IM, Lauren Norberg took third place with a 2:19.94 in the finals; she was the second-place qualifier in prelims with a 2:20.11. Winter finished fourth in the consolation final with a 2:21.94.

Katie Gardocki finished a close second in the 800-meter freestyle with a time of 8:49.34, bettering the Olympic Trial cut time of 8:50.49.

The meet runs through Sunday on the University of Georgia campus. Live results are available through athensbulldogs.com.