All-American Lilly Byrne will transfer from Tulane to Auburn, according to her Instagram. Byrne’s post from late December reads:
“Here we go again! So excited for the next chapter!! War eagle baby”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CYFeLeEvyAV/?utm_medium=share_sheet
Byrne is still on the Tulane roster, and her Instagram profile indicates that she will graduate this year and transfer to Auburn as a graduate student. Including the 5th year waiver granted by the NCAA because of COVID, she should have 2 years of eligibility remaining.
Byrne’s top times all come from the AAC Championship meet in 2020 as a freshman. At that meet she qualified for the NCAA Championship in the 500 and 1650, with tims of 4:42.78 and 16:15.69, respectively. Her qualification earned her All-American honors, but she was not able to compete at the NCAA Championships due to the meet being cancelled.
At the 2021 AAC Championships, Byrne swam a 4:53.79 in the 500 and a 16:36.81 in the 1650, both significant time adds from her freshman year.
As reported by SwimSwam, the Tulane women have not had access to their campus pool since March of 2020, shortly after Byrne’s NCAA-qualifying performance at the AAC Championships.
Byrne can make an immediate impact for Coach Ryan Wochomurka and Auburn in the 500 and 1650. Her freshman time in the 500 would be #2 for Auburn this season, while her freshman time in the 1650 would be Auburn’s top time this season. Byrne can also make an impact on the 800 free relay with her freshman 200 time of 1:47.51, which would be #3 for Wochomurka’s squad this season.
Top Times:
- 50 free: 25.09
- 100 free: 53.06
- 200 free: 1:47.51
- 500 free: 4:42.78
- 1000 free: 9:54.37
- 1650 free: 16:15.69
The Auburn women finished 9th at the 2021 SEC Championship and did not score at the NCAA Championship. The Auburn women are currently ranked 19th in the latest CSCAA poll and 22nd in the SwimSwam Power Rankings. The recruits joining Byrne at Auburn include Micaela Sierra, Kyla Maloney, Ainsley Jones, Carly Sebring, Morgan Gore, and Casey Cullen.