October 26, 1998
COLUMBIA, Mo.- The Missouri Tigers swimming and diving teams finally got to compete against someone other than themselves this past weekend in Lincoln, Neb. All six Big 12 schools that have swimming and diving programs came together for the third annual Big 12 Invitational, an exhibition event, but an event that would give each school a feel for one another.
Missouri Head Coach Brian Hoffer saw some good things on Saturday in the individual events, particularly from certain individuals that will need to step up their performances this year if the Tigers are to attain a national ranking. On the women's side, no swimmer was more impressive than junior Tawney Larm. The school record holder in the three different events placed no lower than sixth place in four different races on Saturday. She was the fifth place finisher in both the 200 and 400 individual medley and placed sixth in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke.
After somewhat of a disappointing freshman year, sophomore Kara Bramer proved that she is ready to step it up in her second season. With a time of 2 minutes, 9.45 seconds, Bramer finished third in the 200 individual medley, out-racing Larm who holds the school record in that event. Bramer also placed seventh in the 400 IM. Freshman Molly Vetter put on a solid showing in her first collegiate event as she finished fifth in the 500 freestyle (5 minutes, 6.57 seconds) and ninth in the 200 free (1 minute, 56.29 seconds). Juniors Cristina Souza and Rikki Janes both placed in the top 10 in two different events. Janes finished seventh and eighth respectively in the 200 and 100 backstroke. Sophomore Kim Lambert finished seventh in the 50 free and freshman diver Erin Wilke placed sixth on the 1-meter board. All five divers in front of Wilke were NCAA qualifiers a year ago.
On the men's side, senior Chris Peters made a statement in the backstroke events. The two-time Big 12 finalist placed third in the 100 back and fourth in the 200.
The men also had solid performances in the butterfly events by senior Mike Miller and freshman Shane Whildin. Miller, the school record holder in the 100 fly placed ninth while the freshman Whildin finished eighth in a time of 51.95. Miller and Whildin finished 9th and 11th respectively in the 200 fly. Whildin also placed ninth in the 100 backstroke.
Fellow freshman Andy Cole also wracked up two top 10 finishes by placing eighth in both the 100 and 200 backstroke.