By JIMMY KISSEE

The Auburn women’s swimming and diving team has claimed the school’s first-ever back-to-back titles as they grabbed the 2003 NCAA Championships, Saturday night at the James E. Martin Aquatics Center.

The Tigers (536) did so in convincing fashion cruising to a 163-point win over second place Georgia (373).

Chesterton graduate Jenni Anderson provided key contributions Friday night, as she swam the opening leg on the winning and American record-breaking 200-yard Medley Relay (1:36.69). Joining the Auburn sophomore was Laura Swander, Margaret Hoelzer and Becky Short.

The old record, 1:37.77, was set by Stanford in 1999. Auburn’s time of 1:36.69 was one full second faster than their time from the SEC meet in February, which set the US Open and pool record at 1:37.69.

“To lop a second off the record, what can you say,” Auburn head coach David Marsh said. “I couldn’t be more pleased with the girls on the relay team. It is just extremely exciting for them. They will forever be NCAA Champions, it doesn’t matter if the record is broken next year, they will always be NCAA record holders.”

Marsh went on to add that Anderson’s sixth place finish individually in the 100-yard back (53.46) was critical for the Tigers.

“This is a great day for Auburn swimming,” Marsh stated. “I was hoping we could come into this morning and tonight, and separate ourselves from the rest of the field. I think one key race tonight was the sixth place finish of Jenni Anderson in the 100-back. That really helped us out a lot.”

Posted 3/25/2003