Dec. 1, 2000
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Matt Ferrarelli broke a school record for the men and Jeanna Willi swam a personal-best time for the women as the Missouri Tigers swimming and diving teams got off to fast starts at the Arkansas Invite on Friday evening. The Mizzou women hold a 126-point lead over four competitors after day one with 394 points while the men are clinging to a nine-point lead over their lone competitor, Drury.
Ferrarelli was the story of the day for the Tigers. The sophomore shattered the Missouri school record in the 200 individual medley with a first-place swim of 1:49.30. That time is also an NCAA consideration cut time. Ferrarelli also helped the Tiger men to an easy victory in the 400-medley relay.
"Matt was tremendous tonight," said Head Coach Brian Hoffer. "That is a very fast time for this time of year. He may be in among the nation's top 15 in the 200 IM at this point."
Ferrarelli wasn't the only men's swimmer to shine on Friday. Senior captain Aaron Lo made a triumphant return to the pool after battling mononucleosis for three weeks. Lo, who was questionable to even compete this weekend, won the 50 freestyle with a time of 20.74. Lo was also on both of Mizzou's winning relay teams.
"The guy (Lo) is unbelievable," said Hoffer. "He has been back in the pool for just a few days and he comes out and almost swims a personal best. He's incredible."
Senior Mike Cervenka also had big night for the Tigers. Cervenka finished in second place behind Ferrarelli in the 200 individual medley and posted the third fastest time in school history, 1:52.22.
The Mizzou women dominated day one on Friday night. Senior Jeanna Willi led the charge as she won the 50 freestyle and lowered her second fastest time in school history to 23.48. Willi also swam the leadoff leg of the 200 freestyle relay, an event the Tigers won in a time of 1:34.44, the third fastest time in school history. Willi was joined by Tara Brooks, Andrea Nigh and Kim Lambert.
"I am extremely happy with the way the women swam tonight," said Hoffer. That 200 free relay was a fun swim. They should be in the top 15 in the country."
Two Missouri freshmen also had career nights. Sarah Lo, the sister of Aaron Lo, established the fourth fastest time in school history in the 200 individual medley. She won the event with a time of 2:05.80. Fellow frosh Lizza Igoe won her first career race by winning the 500 freestyle in a time of 5:00.85.
TEAM SCORES:
WOMEN: MISSOURI (394), Arkansas (268.5), Drury (184), New Mexico (177), Houston (111.5).
MEN: MISSOURI (369), Drury (360).