5-time CSCAA All-American swimmer Sonnele Oeztuerk has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, indicating her intent to leave Auburn University. She will have 1 season of eligibility remaining.
Oeztuerk, who declined to comment on her reasons for leaving, confirmed the news to SwimSwam on Tuesday.
At the last NCAA National Championship meet in 2019, as a sophomore, she placed 6th in the 200 backstroke, and also swam on the school’s 15th-place 800 free relay.
She qualified for the NCAA Championships in all 3 of her seasons at Auburn, including a 14th-place finish in the 200 back as a freshman in 2018. That year she also swam on Auburn’s 800 free relay, which placed 15th as well.
In 2020, before the NCAA Championship meet was canceled, due to the burgeoning coronavirus pandemic, she was qualified as the 22nd seed in the 200 back for the NCAA Championships. She finished 8th in the 200 back at the SEC Championship meet in 1:53.49. That time was over a second slower than she was in that event at the SEC Championships as both a freshman and a sophomore.
Oeztuerk leaves Auburn ranked 2nd in program history in the 200 yard back behind only 7-time Olympic medalist Kirsty Coventry.
Brett Hawke was the program’s head coach during her freshman season, with Gary Taylor leading the way in the last 2 years.
Oeztuerk is back home in Germany, and is still working out her training situation there. She says that she hopes to return to the NCAA for the 2021-2022 college season.
In long course, Oeztuerk 5th all-time in Germany in the 200 backstroke with a best time of 2:09.98. That time, swum at the 2017 German Junior Championships, ranks her 3rd among all Germans since the 2016 Olympic Games.
Top Germans, 200 LCM Backstroke, Since 2016 Rio Olympics:
- Lisa Graf, 2017 German National Championships – 2:07.63
- Jenny Mensing, 2018 European Championships – 2:08.92
- Sonnele Oeztuerk, 2017 German Junior Championships – 2:09.98
- Nadine Laemmler, 2017 German National Championships – 2:10.39
All of the swimmers on that list are significantly older than Oeztuerk: Laemmler by 4 years, Graf by 6 years, and Mensing by 12 years.
With some of the toughest selection criteria in the world, the country didn’t have any entries in the 200 back at the 2019 World Aquatics Championships. It took 2:09.40, just half-a-second better than Oeztuerk’s best time, to make the final in Gwangju.
Makes me want to go swim for Gary Taylor. Good values. Stand up for what’s right.
Indiana will not take this lying down…
Fans of sport should be supportive of athletes and the schools offering educations, competition, friendship and life lessons. It’s no wonder schools are cutting our sports with negative fans rather than hoping the best for the athletes and schools that still have a program. Things will work themselves out for good and bad. Be careful we all have tough times. Good luck to her and all the programs left. Yes Auburn, Indiana, Arizona St and others getting bashed while sending men and women to Olympic Games and more after in outside life.
Is there going to be an article about the intensive quarantine placed on all the Auburn swimmers (and athletes) this past month?
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There’s something that everyone’s afraid to say, but I’m going to say it:
She had her captainship stripped. Why do you ask? The crux of it is because she posted a “this is why Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter are not the same” story on Instagram (it was pro BLM) on September 11th.
And she attends a school in Auburn, Alabama.
So, you can imagine how well that played up the food chain. It was never going to be well-received, but was especially viewed as an ill-timed post given how many police officers died directly or indirectly because of 9/11 (I think 60 died directly, probably more from the long-term impacts).
Was it maybe not great timing on… Read more »
Again a very misleading one sided comment, facts count.
Doesn’t exactly give you credibility when you say “no that’s wrong there’s another side” but don’t present the other side.
Why don’t you give us the other side of the story?
I never said it was wrong I said misleading. I think it is reckless to insinuate her suspension not “stripping” happened because she has the misfortune of going to school in “Auburn, Al”.
When you say “facts count,” you’re saying “it’s wrong.”
If you don’t mean “it’s wrong,” don’t say “facts count.” You know the message you’re trying to send.
There is always two sides to a story. Gary Taylor is very honorable and has big aspirations for the team. Don’t forget swimmers are allowed to opt out due to covid. Also seasons may get cancelled which has driven seniors to focus on life beyond swimming.
I agree. In all of my dealings with Gary Taylor, he has been very honest and professional.
It is important to keep in mind the above statements are opinions not facts. These comments are misleading and unfair, I don’t think Gary Taylor or Auburn can or will speak about this. I know for a fact the vast majority is happy to be there, and proud to represent Auburn. I only know of one swimmer transferring.
About time someone starts to catch on on what’s been going on at Auburn the last 6 weeks
For us still outta the loop what’s going on?
Like Domino said, multiple females have left the team due to coaching issues. And issues with the racial injustice conversation within the team and coaches
This is just the start to the downfall of the Gary Taylor regime. Toxic environment
Such a toxic environment. Not fair on the athletes whatsoever. Hopefully they eventually get the college experience they deserve
Here after the news of Anna-Julia leaving, it seems you were right
It has been going on way longer then 6 weeks! Gary Taylor created nothing but a toxic environment from the time he was hired. The things he has said to the young adults on this team would leave you with your mouth hanging open. Nothing but negativity and no regards for Auburn traditions.
I agree. 6 weeks ago was when the athletes started standing up for themselves. Somehow there wasn’t a mass exit last year, only a few. But now it’s happening
what specifically did taylor do?
I think it’s time more people started asking the Athletics Department this question
maybe you could answer the question instead of deflecting?
I hear that there are quite a number of girls that have either left or will be leaving the program due to coaching issues. Not sure of the entire story there. Hate it for those kids though.