Two Alabama Swimmers Collide in Pool; 1 Flown to Hospital

Braden Keith
by Braden Keith 44

February 02nd, 2018 College, News, SEC

Local CBS affiliate WRBL in Auburn, Alabama is reporting that two members collided in the pool on Thursday at Auburn’s James E. Martin Aquatic Center. The team had arrived and was preparing for this weekend’s Auburn Invitational, which is due to be Alabama’s last meet of the regular season before travelling to College Station, Texas for the SEC Championship starting on February 14th.

The identities of the swimmers have not been released, but both were injured when one swimmer dove in and hit the other. One was treated locally in Auburn, while the other was flown to Columbus, Georgia. Both swimmers were male, and according to local reporter Marlena Mumma, “their injuries are not serious.”

In a statement, an Alabama spokesperson said “two members of the men’s team practicing in Auburn ahead of this weekend’s Auburn Invitational collided. They have been treated for their injuries.” The spokesperson also said that it’s unknown at this point whether either swimmer will compete this weekend.

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Coach
6 years ago

So much for feet first entries. Or controlled sprint lanes.

Sccoach
6 years ago

but what about everyone who injures their feet jumping in feet first and finding out the hard way that the pool is shallow. We need more ladders!

meeeeee
6 years ago

Feet first kids.

Swimdad
6 years ago

That is why we require one hand on the deck and feet first entry during warmups!

Swimfan
6 years ago

Feet first entry! Preaching since they were age groupers.

aviatorfly
Reply to  Swimfan
6 years ago

Nothing in the article says it was a head-first dive. Feet-first on someone’s head can still hurt both people, albeit unequally.

Kevin
Reply to  aviatorfly
6 years ago

“but both were injured when one swimmer dove in and hit the other”

What other kind of dive i there beside head first? Feet first is a jump.

Name
Reply to  aviatorfly
6 years ago

“dove” as it relates to swimming almost assuredly means it was head first

Coach John
Reply to  aviatorfly
6 years ago

this is a swimming article, not diving. 99% certain this was a head-first dive.

JP input is too short
Reply to  Swimfan
6 years ago

IIRC the original source article said they were practicing relay exchanges. Seems to me like the most likely explanation is miscommunication with teammates that weren’t also doing exchanges.

southenswimparent
6 years ago

Columbus is only about 35 miles from Auburn, closer than any Alabama hospital, so most likely nothing to do with insurance

JP input is too short
6 years ago

This reminds me of when one of the freshmen on my college team dove in for a sprint 25, flooded his goggles and instead of stopping or slowing up when the wall got close, ran head-first into it. He was out of the water for a week on concussion protocol…

Swim Fan
Reply to  JP input is too short
6 years ago

Similar thing happened to one of my swimmers when we practiced swimming without goggles. Swam butterfly with her eyes closed right into the wall. We had her evaluated for concussion, cleared after a couple days.

JP input is too short
Reply to  Swim Fan
6 years ago

Yeah… that’s one reason I count my strokes. Just in case.

Swim Dawg
6 years ago

When you think about it, really, why would you not fly to GA for medical attention… do you really want doctors from Alabama…

Alabama jokes aside… I hope everyone involved is okay. Concussion protocol is rare in swimming but it has been seen before.

Hswimmer
Reply to  Swim Dawg
6 years ago

Alabama doctors are actually really good.. have you heard of UAB!!??

Goldmedalgal
Reply to  Swim Dawg
6 years ago

You have no idea what you’re talking about haha

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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