The Auburn Tigers have picked up a verbal commitment from Abi Wilder, a Florida High School State champion. Wilder is based out of the Bolles School in Jacksonville, and will rejoin her former coach Sergio Lopez, who served as the head coach of Bolles from 2007 to 2014. Lopez is now starting his first season as an associate head coach with the Tigers.
Wilder’s best events are the 100 and 200 backstrokes, where she has personal best times of 54.91 and 1:56.55 respectively. She also swims the sprint and middle distance freestyle races, making the 50 free (24.26) her potential 3rd event when she swims for Auburn at the SEC Championships.
Wilder’s Top Times:
| Event | Best Time |
| 100 Y Back | 54.91 |
| 200 Y Back | 1:56.55 |
| 50 Y Free | 24.26 |
| 100 Y Free | 53.09 |
| 200 Y Free | 1:51.85 |
2015-16 was a season of big firsts for Wilder. As a junior, she won her first individual State Championship title in the 100 back last November. During the long course season, Wilder competed in her first Olympic Trials meet over the summer after qualifying in the 200 back. She also made her first-ever long course Junior Nationals championship final in that event, where she placed 5th in a personal best 2:14.38.
When she heads to Auburn next season, Wilder should have an immediate impact for the Tigers at the conference level. Her 200 back time is already fast enough to have scored in the SEC meet last season, and she’s just 2 tenths shy of the time it took to score in the 100 back.
Congratulations to Abi and to the Auburn swimmers and coaching staff. Great choices all-around!
Congrats to my little niece who is special in every way!! Love Aunt Vicki and Uncle Rentz War Eagle????
Congrats Abi! WarEagle! You will do great things, cant wait to see you at the next level!