The Auburn Tigers have reeled in another verbal commit, this time from NCSA All-Star Team captain Carly Cummings of the Badger Swim Club. Cummings was the team captain for the NCSA’s All-Star squad that traveled to compete at the 2015 Irish Open Championships.
“I chose auburn because they are a team on a mission! I have no doubt that by attending the university I’ll have the opportunities to succeed in and out of the pool. The Auburn Tigers are truly a family, and I can’t wait to be a part of it!”
Cummings, a 2-time Scholastic All-American, qualified to swim 4 events at this summer’s U.S. Olympic Trials: The 200 IM, 400 IM, 100 breast, and 200 fly. Her highest finish came in the 200 IM, where she placed 29th overall in a time of 2:17.19. She also swam that event at the 2016 U.S. Open, where she earned a 13th place finish.
In yards, Cummings has best times in the 400 IM (4:13.98), 200 fly (1:59.71), and 100 breast (1:02.07) that could have an immediate scoring impact for the Tigers at the SEC Championships. Her 100 breast and 200 fly times would’ve qualified her for the C-final at SECs last season, while her 400 IM time would’ve landed her in the B-final.
In the 5-day SEC format, however, the 100 breast and 200 fly fall on the same day. If the Tigers don’t want her to double up, the 200 IM and 200 breast are viable 3rd event options, and shes about a second off scoring range in both.
Cummings’ Top Times:
| Event | Best time |
| 200 IM | 2:00.83 |
| 400 IM | 4:13.98 |
| 100 breast | 1:02.07 |
| 200 breast | 2:15.89 |
| 200 fly | 1:59.71 |
At Auburn, Cummings will train IM alongside Bailey Nero and NCAA qualifier Zoe Thatcher, who both scored in the 200 and/or 400 IM at last season’s SEC Championships.
Having Cummings on the roster will help make up for the loss of now-seniors Ashley Neidigh, who swam the 400 IM at NCAAs, and Kristen Murslack, an SEC scorer in the 200 fly. She’ll also help bridge the gap in the breaststroke lineup, as they’ll be graduating Natasha Lloyd.