Tigers Look To Continue Winning Streak Against Nebraska
1/24/2000 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Jan. 24, 2000
Home Sweet Home
MU will host two dual meets at home this weekend at University Natatorium. On Friday, Jan. 28 at 4:00 p.m., the Missouri women will do battle with the Iowa Hawkeyes. The following afternoon, Saturday, Jan. 29 at 1:00 p.m., both squads will host conference rival Nebraska.
Missouri Handles Rolla in First Home Dual of Season
The Mizzou men dominated their first home meet of the season defeating Missouri-Rolla 122-75. MU extended its record to 5-1 on the season. In the end, Missouri established four new pool records while winning nine of the eleven events.
In the Spirit of Things
In one of the few times that the men and women did not compete together, the women made their presence felt and were not to be forgotten. The entire women's team showed up to the meet sporting body paint spelling out "Go Tigers" across their stomachs. Their cheers could be heard loud and clear in the small confines of the natatorium. Now we will have to see if the men repay the favor on Friday for the women's meet against Iowa.
Nebraska Comes To Columbia
Both the men's and women's teams will face off with the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday. Neither team fared well in 1999 in their dual with NU, but will be looking to improve upon their performances from a year ago. Both Husker teams are ranked in the top-20 nationally and are coming off senior day in Lincoln, Neb. after downing Iowa State. The NU men (2-5) are ranked 17th while the women (2-6) are ranked as the 16th best team in the country.
The MU women were unable to win an event in '99 against Nebraska as several key members were left home due to the flu bug hitting the team. The men a little more fortunate as junior sensation Aaron Lo was the only Black and Gold swimmer to claim individual victories. Lo won the 50 free and 100 breast.
Movin' on Up
Missouri made up for not swimming at home for the first four months of the season in grand style Saturday afternoon. MU set four new pool records while two swimmers moved up on the MU All-Time top-five list. The dynamic freshman duo of Matt Ferrarelli and Radu Miclaus continue to make waves in the Mizzou program. Ferrarelli set a new pool record of 1:50.20 in the 200 back. It was the second fastest time in school history. Miclaus also established a new pool record in the 200 fly with a time of 1:50.23 and put his name in the record books with MU's No. 4 All-Time performance.
The other two pool records to fall on Saturday were the 50 free. Junior Aaron Lo swam a 20.75, two one hundredth faster than the previous record. MU's fourth record on the day was actually its first. The Black and Gold 400 medley relay team of Miclaus, Lo, sophomore Shane Whildin and junior Mike Cervenka kicked the meet agaist Rolla off with a win and a new record of 3:24.77.
National Rankings
In the latest list of top-25 performances, four Mizzou relays are ranked in the top 25 with several individual times right on the verge. On the men's side, MU's 200 free relay is currently ranked 22nd. For the women, their 200 free relay is ranked 12th while the 800 free relay is ranked 14th and the 200 medley relay is currently 25th overall.
Conference Time Rapidly Approaching
With the conference meets lying on the horizon, several Tigers have a lot to look forward too. Many of the MU swimmers and divers are sitting in great positions heading into the conference championships. In the latest listing of the conferences top-20 times, at least two Missouri swimmers are ranked in EVERY event. Listed below are the events and the swimmers ranked in the top-10 through last weekends competition. There are several events in which MU has multiple people ranked in the top-20, but not in the top ten.
50 Free 3. Aaron Lo200 Free 10. Mike Cervenka
500 Free 8. Mike Cervenka
1,650 Free 7. Dane Pedersen
100 Back 9. Radu Miclaus
200 Back 6. Matt Ferrarelli 8. Andy Cole 10. Radu Miclaus
100 Breast 4. Aaron Lo 5. Dan Knudson 6. Charlie Davies
200 Breast 8. Matt Ferrarelli 9. Mike Cervenka
100 Fly 7. Radu Miclaus 8. Shane Whildin 9. Brendan Smith
200 Fly 8. Radu Miclaus
200 IM 5. Matt Ferrarelli 8. Mike Cervenka 10. Andy Cole
400 IM 2. Matt Ferrarelli
Relays 5. 200 Free 5. 400 Free 5. 800 Free 4. 200 Medley 4. 400 Medley
