AU ROUNDUP: Cielo honored as top swimmer

Special to the News

Published: March 30, 2008

FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — For the second year in a row, Auburn’s Cesar Cielo was named the NCAA Swimmer of the Year following his performance at the NCAA Championships.

Cielo, a junior from St. Barbara, Brazil, earned seven All-America honors while winning four NCAA titles. He also set to Auburn, NCAA and U.S. Open records at the meet.

“I don’t know how many swimmers have been voted NCAA Swimmer of the Year two years in a row, but not very many,” said Auburn head coach Richard Quick. “He is extraordinarily deserving and he is one of the best swimmers to ever swim in NCAA swimming competition.”

Quick said one of the things that will make Cielo stand out is the legacy that he leaves behind as one of the fastest collegiate swimmers of all-time.

Softball tops Tennessee to win SEC series
Kyndall White’s sac fly to left scored Krista Clyde with the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Auburn softball team claimed a 2-1 victory over ninth-ranked Tennessee on Sunday afternoon.

The Tigers won the weekend series two games to one with Sunday’s victory. Auburn improved to 30-9 overall and 9-5 in the Southeastern Conference. Tennessee dropped to 31-7 overall and 7-6 in the league.

“This was a tremendous win for us, Tennessee is a very good team,” Auburn head coach Tina Deese said. “I’m very proud of our team for battling and finding a way to win. Our pitchers did an excellent job today. Anna came in and kept Tennessee from putting anything together. She did an outstanding job.”

Women’s golf, Clanton finish third at Bryan
BROWN SUMMIT, N.C. — Freshman Cydney Clanton and the No. 10 Auburn women’s golf team finished third at the Bryan National Collegiate on Sunday. 

Despite competing in chilly conditions and with a slight drizzle, it was the highest finish for Clanton and the team this spring. 

The Tigers entered the final day in third and remained at the position despite shooting a 17-over 305. Auburn (301-303-305—909) finished a mere three strokes off the winner, Florida (298-301-307—906) and one stroke from second place Duke (294-304-310). The Blue Devils led for most of the tournament but was edged out by Florida by two strokes. 

Georgia dominates men’s tennis in home match
Defending national champion Georgia won all six singles matches and all three doubles matches Sunday, as the No. 3 Bulldogs defeated No. 25 Auburn, 7-0, in the Tigers’ final home match of the season.

Georgia improved to 18-1, 8-0 SEC as the Bulldogs lengthened their SEC winning streak to 31-0 since 2005. Auburn evened its season at 9-9 and fell to 3-5 in the SEC.

“We got beat by a better team today, but we have to learn from it and get better,” head coach Eric Shore said. “Now, we have to let it go and get ready for two tough road matches next week.”

Women’s tennis falls in close one at Georgia
ATHENS, Ga. — The No. 33 Auburn women’s tennis team (13-6, 3-5 SEC) won the doubles point, but fell 5-2 to the No. 9 ranked Georgia Bulldogs (14-4, 6-2 SEC) at the Lindsey Hopkins Tennis Facility on Sunday.

“This was not our best effort today,” said Auburn head coach Tim Gray. “We had the momentum coming out of the doubles and we did not take advantage of that. I don’t think this loss is indicative of how good our team really is. We need to work on the little things.”