A Swimming Sneak Peek: Backstroke - AuburnTigers.com - Auburn University Official Athletic Site

A Swimming Sneak Peek: Backstroke The men return one of the best backstroke contingents in the nation

Melissa Marik

Oct. 20, 2009

AUBURN, Ala. - The 2009-10 season is fast approaching, with the Auburn swimming and diving team opening the season on Oct. 23 at LSU. In anticipation for the upcoming season, AuburnTigers.com will take a sneak peek on each stroke leading up to the first meet.

Men's Backstroke Sneak Peek
Returning for the Tigers is one of the best backstroke contingents in the nation that played a major role in Auburn's successful NCAA run. Senior Pascal Wollach, juniors Kohlton Norys and Jared White and sophomore Max Murphy all enter the 2009-10 season as All-Americans with a wealth of experience.

"The backstroke is probably our strongest group of swimmers on this team right now," assistant coach Aaron Ciarla said. "It is a great group of guys that will score a lot of points for us this year."

Norys returns as the defending NCAA champion in the 100 back and Wollach is the Auburn record holder in both the 100 and 200 distances. White finished sixth in the 100 and eighth in the 200 at the national meet, while Murphy earned All-America honors when he finished 11th in the 100 distance.

Freshman Kyle Owens will be a great addition to the already strong group. Owens is a two-time Tennessee state champion in the 100 back and will be expected to push to upperclassmen and contribute greatly to the overall success of the team.

Women's Backstroke Sneak Peek
Looking to fill the gap left by a trio of graduated Tigers in Rachel Goh, Julianne McLane and Margo McCawley will be senior Melissa Marik and junior Erica Meissner.

"Both Melissa and Erica are coming off really great summers," Ciarla said. "Melissa is stepping up already at practice and will pick up where Rachel left off last year. Erica has been making great strides every year and is due for a big breakout season."

Marik, a six-time All-American in both backstrokes, finished seventh in the 100m back and 11th in the 200m back at the 2009 U.S. Senior National Championships this summer. Meissner reached the semifinals in the 200m back at the U.S. meet, finishing ninth overall.

Newcomer Morgan Faye Smith will be expected to supply much-needed depth in the backstrokes. Smith is a 10-time high school All-American and will have an immediate impact on the squad, providing some competition to Marik and Meisser, as well as scoring points for Auburn throughout the season.