Iowa State was just too much for Missouri to handle from the start of the meet as ISU claimed the first relay title, but not without the Tigers giving up a fight. Headed into the final leg of the relay, MU was neck and neck with the Cyclones before taking the lead on the final lap.
Despite the loss, head coach Brian Hoffer was very happy with the way the men raced. "Iowa State is a legitament top-25 team. We can get better and improve, but they just have more depth and better talent and this juncture. Even though the score does not indicate it, the races were close and I am proud of how we came out and raced."
Senior captain Ryan Nevins was proud of the men and the way they battled throughout the entire meet. "This was a good meet for the beginning of the year. Even though we were never in the meet points-wise, we were in it team and spirit wise. This was a good meet to prepare us for next weekend."
It was two freshman and a junior providing the highlights for the Tigers. Junior Mike Cervenka claimed the 200 breaststroke title to close out the individual swims of the meet on an up-swing. Freshman Radu Miclaus was the winner in the 200 butterfly while fellow freshman Matt Ferrarelli pulled off the meet winning the 200 individual medley.
"For Matt to win the 200 IM, that caught is totally off guard," said Hoffer. " It was a total, yet pleasant surprise. For the two freshman to come in and perform the way they did was exciting to watch."
The Tigers next head to Champaign, Ill. to compete in the Illinois Dual Extravaganza where they will be competing against tough competition. The men will be competing against arch-rival Kansas and Bowling Green. During the 1998 season, Missouri earned its first victory under Hoffer over the Jayhawks, 152-151.
Score: ISU 148-MU 86
Individual Results (Winner and Missouri Only)
400 Medley Relay 1. ISU 3:25.21, 2. M 3:26.90, (Miclaus, Lo, Whildin, Cervenka) 4. M 3:34.10 (Cole, Knudson, Nevins, Baumgart), 5. 3:40.71 (Ferrarelli, Shapley, Sanders, Pitzer)
1000 Freestyle 1. Josh Noger (ISU) 9:41.71, 3. Dane Pedersen (M) 9:43.30, 5. James Herrick (M) 10:14.92, 6. Kyle Sanders (M) 10:44.86
200 Freestyle 1. Peter Skoog, (ISU) 1:41.26, 3. Radu Miclaus (M) 1:43.79, 5. Mike Cervenka (M) 1:45.20, 6. Jon Baumgart (M) 1:49.35
50 Freestyle 1. Dylan DeBruin (ISU) 20.83, 2. Aaron Lo (M) 21.40, 5. Brent Pitzer (M) 22.23, 6. Shane Whildin (M) 22.31
200 Individual Medley 1. Matt Ferrarelli (M) 1:55.41, 4. Randy Swift (M) 1:59.29, 5. Andy Cole (M) 1:59.67
1-meter Springboard 1. Steve Mohabir (ISU) 259.58, 3. James Sweeney (M) 244.58, 4. Jason Otte (M) 238.65
200 Butterfly 1. Radu Miclaus (M) 1:52.85, 5. Shane Whildin (MU) 1:58.50, 6. Kyle Sanders (M) 2:06.25
100 Freestyle 1. Dylan DeBruin (ISU) 45.99, 3. Aaron Lo (M) 47.66, 5. Ryan Nevin (M) 49.16, 6. Jon Baumgart (M) 49.40
200 Backstroke 1. Peter Skoog (ISU) 1:51.25, 2. Matt Ferrarelli (M) 1:52.77, 5. Andy Cole (M) 1:55.99, 6. James Herrick (M) 2:06.77
500 Freestyle 1. Evan DeSsoeke (ISU) 4:4086, 4. Dane Pedersen (M) 4:48.52, 5. Randy Swift (M) 4:57.32
3-meter Springboard 1. Dave Likar (ISU) 280.50, 4. James Sweeney, 5. Jason Otte (M) 256.88
200 Breaststroke 1. Mike Cervenka (M) 2:12.81, 3. Dan Knudson (M) 2:14.14, 5. Adam Shapley (M) 2:23.40
400 Medley Relay 1. ISU 3:07.68, 3. M 3:16.81 (Pitzer, Nevins, Swift, Pedersen)