AU ROUNDUP: Former Tiger Lundquist breaks US butterfly record

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Former Auburn swimmer Bryan Lundquist became the first American swimmer to ever record a sub-23 second time in the 50m butterfly. The three-time NCAA champion set the new record time of 22.91 during the opening leg of the 100m fly A Finals on Saturday at the 2009 Speedo Champions Series Southern Zone Eastern Sectional Championships.

“I did a time trial at finals at the World Championship trials but I hadn’t shaved down for it,” said Lundquist. “I wanted to see if I could hit the record there but I missed it by a tenth. I decided to go to this meet and take another shot at it. I cleaned up my break out and nailed the finish, which I didn’t at
trials.”

The previous record time of 23.12 was set by Ian Crocker at the 2005 World Championships in Montreal. Lundquist’s time places him third in the FINA world rankings behind world-record holder Rafael Munoz Perez (22.43) and former Tiger Fred Bousquet (22.84).

Lundquist is known for his prowess as a freestyle sprinter, having been on the world-record setting American 4x100m free relay squad at the 2009 World Short course
Championships.

The Marietta, Ga., native is currently ranked ninth in the FINA’s 2009 World Rankings for the 50m free after recording a 21.73 at U.S. trials.

“I really don’t train butterfly,” said Lundquist. “I always have and will consider myself a sprinter. I’ll add it in every now and then when we’re doing some stroke stuff, just to get a break from freestyle.”

Gymnastics releases 2010 slate
The Auburn women’s gymnastics team has released their 2010 schedule as announced by head coach Jeff Thompson. This season’s slate shows home meets with SEC foes Alabama, Georgia and Florida, while the Tigers also play host to Oklahoma as well as Denver. The Tigers will hit the road for five meets as the team heads to SEC opponents LSU, Arkansas and Kentucky, as well as non-conference opponents Ohio State and Maryland.

Five teams on the schedule finished the 2009 season ranked in the top 10 nationally in national champion Georgia, Alabama (No. 3), LSU (No.5), Florida (No. 6), and Oklahoma (No. 9). Of the group, all opponents with the exception of LSU will head to Auburn, presenting an exciting opportunity for the Tiger program.

“This season is going to be very exciting for our fans,” said Thompson, who is entering his 11th season at the helm of the Auburn program. “It is the toughest home schedule we have had since I have been here, but it is an excellent way to measure our team against some of the best in the country.”

The 2010 season will begin much like the previous season, as Auburn opens up the home-portion of the year by hosting rival Alabama on Fri., Jan. 8 from Beard-Eaves Coliseum. On Jan. 15, the Tigers welcome the Oklahoma Sooners to the Plains, followed by a road trip to LSU on Jan. 22 before closing out the month by hosting the national champion Georgia Bulldogs on Jan. 29.

The month of February begins with a pair of road trips as Auburn travels to Arkansas on Feb. 5 and Lexington, Ky., to take on the Kentucky Wildcats on Feb. 12. Following a week off, the squad returns to action, playing host to the Florida Gators on Feb. 26.

The Tigers welcome the Pioneers of Denver to the The Plains for the first time ever in their final home meet of the season on March 5. A week later, the Tigers wrap up their regular season with trips to Ohio State on March 12 and Maryland on March 19.

The state of Florida will be home to a pair of postseason events, starting off with the SEC Championships on March 27 in Jacksonville, Fla. NCAA Regionals will be held on April 4 with the Tigers’ destination to be determined following the SEC Championships.

Gainesville, Fla., will be the site of the 2010 NCAA National Championships, held at the University of Florida April 16-18.

“Our goal this year is to get back to nationals, and participating against such quality opponents will prepare us to contend for a national championship,” said Thompson.

Prowell wraps up summer league
LAS VEGAS — Former Auburn forward Quan Prowell averaged 3.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in helping the Golden State Warriors to a 4-1 record in the NBA Summer League.

Prowell, a native of Columbus, Ga., started the Warriors’ final game in a 104-84 victory over the New Orleans Hornets and had eight points and six rebounds in 25 minutes. He made 3-of-5 shots from the field.

In other games, Prowell scored four points in five minutes in a 95-83 victory over the Chicago Bulls, had two points and a board each in a 97-69 victory over the Detroit Pistons and a 98-95 win over the Sacramento Kings, and had a rebound in eight minutes in the summer league opening 73-69 loss to the Houston Rockets.

In summer league play, Prowell averaged 9.2 minutes a game while shooting 53.8 percent from the field.

Prowell averaged a team-high 15.0 points and 6.3 rebounds as a senior for Auburn in 2007-08.