University of Missouri
Big 12 Relays
Tigers Finish Big 12 Relays in Third
10/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving, Swimming & Diving
Oct. 16, 2009
Columbia, Mo. - Nearly 12 hours after completing their Thursday night dual with Texas, the Missouri women's swimming and diving squad returned to the pool for the Big 12 Relays held at the Mizzou Aquatics Center. The Tigers finished the all-day event featuring teams from across the league in third place with 75 points while Texas A&M captured the crown with 109 points followed by Texas in second with 103 points.
"All of the teams were very difficult," Missouri Head Coach Brian Hoffer said. "We understood the challenge and were happy with the outcome of a third place finish. We're still learning how to get better."
The Tigers closed out the Relays with a first place finish, their sole first place showing of the day, in the 100 yard freestyle (42.52). Sophomore Lisa Nathanson (West Des Mointes, Iowa) led off the event followed by freshman Cassie Cunningham (Pflugerville, Texas), senior transfer Kim Jasmer (Oregon) and junior Francie Szostak (Northbrook, Ill.). Missouri's swimmers edged out Texas (42.91) and Texas A&M (43.16) for the win.
"It's a fun thing we did and just threw together," Szostak said. "We were all just really excited about the outcome. We might not have won every race today, but we had some really good swims."
Cunningham also aided Missouri to its second best finish of the day, second, in the 100 medley relay. The first event of the morning, Cunningham again led the charge and was followed by junior Morgan McCleery (Celina, Texas), senior Colleen Gordon (Missouri City, Texas) and Nathanson. Finishing the race in a time of 47.30, the Tigers fell just shy of Texas A&M who claimed first in 47.05.
"I tried to put freshmen in situational positions early on in the season," Hoffer said. "Doing so will pay off later at other meets down the line."
Missouri's trio of Jasmer, senior Molly Bollen (Carrolton, Texas) and junior Melissa Jamerson (Jacksonville, Fla.) placed third in the 3x100 butterfly relay clocking in at 2:50.50. The bronze medal showing was one of 15 third place finishes for the Tigers on the day.
Competing on the 1-meter board, Missouri's squad managed a third place showing with 31 points, while Texas A&M and Texas finished first and second with 51 and 41 points, respectively. The Tigers took third in the 3-meter as well with 36 points.
Following a two hour break, swimming resumed in the Mizzou Aquatics Center and the Tigers placed third in the 200 free in 1:33.11, the third best time in program history. Nathanson, who claimed gold in the 50 and 100 free, swam the first 50 in 23.31, the fastest first 50 of the race. Cunningham swam second, followed by Jasmer and Gordon.
Missouri will take to the water for the third straight day when they host Big 12 opponent Texas A&M, Saturday, Oct. 17 beginning at 10 a.m. (CT). Live results will be available on www.mutigers.com.
Players Mentioned
