Ashley Neidigh is a distance freestyle and IM specialist from Orange Park, Florida. She is currently a postgrad swimmer at Auburn University, but will be relocating to train at Indiana University after the 2017 U.S. National Championships. She was an SEC Champion and NCAA All-American in the 1650 yard freestyle during her senior year at Auburn, and qualified to swim in the championship final of the 400 free at 2017 U.S. Summer Nationals.
After finishing her college career, Neidigh went pro and began training with the post-graduate group at Indiana University.
High School
Neidigh competed for The Bolles School throughout her high school career. She was a multi-time medalist at the Florida 1A State Championships for all 4 years. Neidigh became a state champion as a part of Bolles’ 200 free relay in 2010. As a high school junior in 2011, Neidigh became the junior national champion in the 1650 yard free at the 2011 Speedo Short Course Junior National Championships.
Collegiate Career
Neidigh competed for Auburn University from 2013-2017. As a senior in 2017, she became the SEC Champion in the 1650 yard freestyle, knocking almost 20 seconds from her best time to win the event in 15:56.95. She also won a silver medal in the 500 free with a 4:39.91, marking her first ever sub-4:40 swim. In her 3rd event, the 400 IM, she placed 18th with a 4:12.49.
At the 2017 NCAA Championships, Neidigh earned All-American status in the 1650 yard free. She placed 8th overall in 15:54.88, and in doing so, broke the Auburn school record in the 1000 yard free with her 9:44.82 split. Neidigh went a personal best 4:12.07 in the 400 IM at that meet, finishing 32nd overall.
Neidigh also competed in the 500 free, 400 IM, and 1650 free at SECs and NCAAs during the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. Her highest finish at the SEC championships prior to her senior year was a 5th place finish in the mile at 2016 SECs. At NCAAs, her highest finish prior to 2017 was a 20th place finish in the 1650 free in 2016.
Olympic Trials
Neidigh competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2012 and 2016. At the 2016 Trials, she swam a time that would’ve placed 16th in the 400 IM, but was ultimately disqualified for a back-to-breast turn violation. She also competed in the 800 free (27th), 400 free (38th), and 200 IM (66th).
Nationals/World Championships Trials
Neidigh qualified to swim in the championship final of the 400 meter free at the 2017 U.S. Nationals. She placed 7th in prelims, dropping 2 seconds off her best time with a 4:11.63. She also went a personal best 4:47.25 in the 400 IM in prelims and went on to take 7th in the B final.
U.S. Open
At the 2017 U.S. Open, Neidigh earned a podium finish in the 800 free. She knocked over 5 seconds off her lifetime best, taking 2nd place with an 8:34.71.
2017 U.S. Winter Nationals
Neidigh won her first career U.S. National Championship at the 2017 Winter Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. There, swimming in a field that included U.S. National Teamer Mallory Comerford, Neidigh slashed 5 seconds from her best time in the 500 to win in 4:34.47. She followed up her national title with another win in the mile with a time of 15:38.35, making her the 9th fastest woman of all time in the event.