December 2, 1998
Like all Missouri athletic programs, KU week is always extra big. For Missouri's swimming and diving program, this week is especially big. The Tigers have never defeated Kansas in dual competition under Head Coach Brian Hoffer. Secondly, when looking at the standings in the Big 12 Championships each of the last two years, it is Kansas who has been standing in the Tigers' way from taking that next step.
The women's competition should be as good as it gets. Missouri enters the meet with a 6-0 dual record. The Tigers are coming off of a big victory at the Indiana Invite two weeks ago. The KU women are 2-0 in dual competition with a big win over Texas A&M, 153.5-147.5 and an easy victory over North Texas. Both Missouri and Kansas are receiving votes to get into the nation's top 25.
The Missouri men head into Saturday with a 4-2 dual record and placed third two weeks ago at the Indiana Invite. The Tigers have already upset the likes of Indiana, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh this season. KU enters Saturday's meet ranked 24th in the country and has only one dual meet under their belt. That one dual was a 172-129 loss at the hands of 12th-ranked Texas A&M.
Kansas was not going to be denied in last year's meeting with the Tigers in Lawrence. The KU women defeated Missouri 179-123 while the Jayhawk men downed the Tigers 175.5-117.5.
THE LAST TIME OUT
It was another great weekend for the Missouri swimming and diving program. The MU women continued to establish themselves as they took home first place in the eight-team Indiana Invite two weeks ago. The men also enjoyed a successful weekend as they placed third in Indiana in front of nationally ranked Pittsburgh.
The women did plenty of rewriting of the school record books. The Tigers broke nine school records including seven individual records. Tawney Larm headed the list of record-breakers by eclipsing both of her own 200 breaststroke and 200 individual medley records. Larm also became the school record holder in the 100 breaststroke.
Freshman Katie Mae Fields continued her attack on the school record book. Fields broke both the 500 and 1650 free records. Fellow freshman Molly Vetter established a new mark in the 200 free.
Perhaps the most impressive record that was eclipsed was the 19-year old 100 butterfly record. Julie Effinger's 1979 time of 56.83 seconds was broken by Jeanna Willi with a time of 56.26 seconds.
The Tigers also broke records in the 400 and 800 freestyle relays. The 400 free relay team of Kim Lambert, Kara Bramer, Willi and Tara Brooks edged out Indiana with a time of 3 minutes, 27.30 seconds to give the Tigers a 5.5 point win over Indiana and the Indiana Invite title.
The MU men didn't break any records, but they did a little re-arranging of their own. Mike Cervenka enjoyed the best meet of his career as he won the 200 freestyle in a time of 1 minutes 40.43 seconds. He also swam the fourth fastest time in school history in the 500 free, 4 minutes, 32.96 seconds.
Freshman Andy Cole placed his name into the school record books in both the 100 and 200 backstroke events. Aaron Lo moved up into the third spot on the 100 breaststroke list. Lo also continued to take time off his of career best in the 50 free with a time of 20.70. Dave Kinsella also enjoyed a solid weekend with career-best times in the 50 and 100 free.