Auburn Swimming and Diving Continue Dynasty - Win 18th SEC Championship

The Auburn Men's Swimming and Diving Team won their 16th consecutive SEC Championship in Knoxville Saturday, clinching the championship in the meets final event, the 400-yard freestyle relay. It was the the 18th SEC title won by the seven time National Champion Tigers in the past 19 years.

It was also the second year in a row, the Tigers had to fend off a determined Florida team to win the championship. The Tigers finished with 730.5 points to the Gators' 700. Florida has finished second to the Tigers 11 times.

Auburn put eight swimmers in the championship finals and two in the consolation finals.

Individual honors went to Drew Modrov for finishing third in the 100 yard free style, James Disney-May came in fifth, Chris Manning in seventh, and Karl Krug in eighth. Marcelo Chierighini finished first.

Kyle Owens was the biggest star of the week, winning six gold medals and one silver. He won his second individual SEC Championship in the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 1:41.67 narrowly besting teammate Max Murphy's second place time of 1:42.59. Zane Grothe took the silver in the 1,650-yard freestyle with this year's fourth-fastest time in the nation.

To win any SEC Championship is a remarkable feat but to win the 16th in a row is nothing short of dominating. In fact it's a dynasty - a big dynasty.

After the four day event, Coach Bret Hawke was named SEC Men's Swimming and Diving Coach of the Year ... and he deserves it!

Congratulations Tigers!