Wow, what a thrilling showdown at the Georgia Tech Dual Meet Tournament 2025! Picture this: Auburn University absolutely demolished Florida State to snatch third place overall in a performance that left everyone talking. But here's where it gets controversial – could this blowout be a sign of shifting tides in college swimming, or is it just a one-off fluke? Stick around to dive deeper into the details.
We're talking about the Georgia Tech Dual Meet Tournament, held on October 17-18, 2025, right in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia. For those new to swimming lingo, this was a short course yards (SCY) event, meaning the pool measured 25 yards – perfect for fast, intense races that highlight speed and technique over longer distances. You can find all the full results on Meet Mobile under "2025 GT The Dual Meet Tournament," so grab your phone and check it out if you want to relive the action.
When it came to the team scores, Auburn reigned supreme with a whopping 503 points, while Florida State trailed far behind with 286. This third-place match-up turned into one of the tournament's biggest routs, with Auburn winning by a massive 217 points. It's the kind of gap that makes you wonder: Why such a disparity? Was it superior training, or perhaps Florida State just having an off day? Either way, it set the stage for some incredible individual and team performances.
Auburn kicked things off strong in the women's 400 free relay, where their quartet – Lisa Klevanovich (clocking in at 48.14), Isabel Iwasyk (49.21), Wyllo Hanson (49.34), and Isabella Ekk (49.99) – combined for a blistering 3:16.68. For beginners, think of a relay as a baton handoff where swimmers specialize in different legs, turning a group effort into something magical. They edged out Florida State's 3:21.10, proving Auburn's depth right from the start.
Star swimmer Lora Komoroczy shone brightly, claiming the women's 100 backstroke in 51.65 – a time that would have ranked as the sixth fastest nationally before the weekend's meets. She also snagged second in the 50 free at 22.22, just eight-hundredths of a second behind Lisa Klevanovich's winning 21.95. And this is the part most people miss: That 50 free marked Klevanovich's third sub-22 second swim of the entire meet, something she'd never achieved before. It's like breaking through a personal barrier in front of a crowd – exhilarating!
Komoroczy and Klevanovich teamed up again on Auburn's victorious 200 medley relay. Komoroczy led off with a 23.92, followed by Kiia Metsakonkola's strong breaststroke at 27.12, Isabel Iwasyk's fly leg in 23.95, and Klevanovich's explosive freestyle anchor of 21.36. If you're new to this, a medley relay mixes backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle, showcasing every swimmer's versatility.
Freshman sensation Taylor Bacher dominated the women's 200 fly and 200 IM, posting times of 1:57.32 and 1:59.52 respectively. These were huge personal bests for her – her previous 200 fly was 1:58.84 from January 2024, and her 200 IM sat at 2:03.84 from March 2024. Imagine shaving nearly six seconds off your best time in the IM, which combines all four strokes; it's the kind of breakthrough that could inspire a whole generation of young swimmers.
On the men's side, Auburn delivered a powerhouse 200 medley relay with Luke Bedsole (21.89), Uros Zivanovic (23.48), Sohib Khaled (20.37), and Kalle Makinen (19.06), finishing at 1:24.80. Makinen also took home the men's 50 freestyle in 19.41, showing off his lightning speed.
Florida State didn't go down without a fight, though. Their men grabbed wins in the 400 free relay, with Logan Robinson (43.62), Gustav Olsson (42.85), Sam Bork (42.66), and Michel Arkhangelskiy (42.21) hitting 2:51.34. Arkhangelskiy doubled up by winning the 100 free in 43.14, outpacing Auburn's Daniel Krichevsky by half a second. Robinson claimed the 200 fly in 1:45.14 – a bit slower than his 1:44.06 from the same meet last year, but still impressive. And here's where it gets controversial: Some might argue that inconsistencies like this highlight coaching strategies, sparking debates on whether Florida State needs a new approach to reclaim their edge.
For a complete rundown of all the event winners, here's the full list:
- Men's 100 backstroke: Ivan Tarasov (Auburn) - 46.40
- Women's 200 breaststroke: Julia Mansson (Florida State) - 2:12.00
- Men's 200 breaststroke: Maston Ballew (Auburn) - 1:56.33
- Women's 100 freestyle: Isabel Iwasyk (Auburn) - 48.85
- Women's 3-Meter Diving: Kayleigh Clark (Florida State) - 162.85
- Men's 3-Meter Diving: Ethan Swart (Auburn) - 190.20
- Women's 500 freestyle: Sammie Hamilton (Auburn) - 4:47.37
- Men's 500 freestyle: Daniel Krichevsky (Auburn) - 4:23.98
- Men's 200 IM: Mathias Christensen (Florida State) - 1:45.57
- Women's 1-Meter Diving: Emily Hallifax (Auburn) - 154.20
- Men's 1-Meter Diving: Benjamin Wilson (Auburn) - 189.90
These times aren't just numbers; they represent hours of training, mental grit, and the thrill of competition. For example, diving events like the 3-meter or 1-meter involve precise acrobatics from a platform, adding a whole other layer of excitement to the poolside drama.
So, what do you make of this? Do you think Auburn's dominance signals the rise of a new powerhouse, or will Florida State bounce back stronger next time? Is there a controversial call in the relays that changed the game? Share your opinions and join the discussion in the comments – we'd love to hear your take!
