Dec. 11, 2000

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of Missouri Swimming and Diving teams are ranked nationally in seven events according to the latest College Quick 25 put out by Taper & Shave. The Tigers are ranked in four individual events and three relay events.

Headlining the Tigers is sophomore Matt Ferrarelli, who finds himself in the nations top 25 in three individual events this week. The Redford Notts, England native is currently ranked fourth in the country in the 400 individual medley with a time of 3:50.69. Olympian Erik Vendt of Southern California is the nation's leader with a time of 3:41.18.

Ferrarelli is also ranked No. 7 n the 200 individual medley (1:49.30) and 14th in the 200 backstroke. His time of 1:47.62 is still fourth in the Big 12 Conference. Nate Dusing of Texas (4th), Peder Skoog of Iowa State (11th) and Pat Kennedy of Texas A&M (12th) are all Big 12 swimmers ranked in the 200 backstroke.

Sophomore Radu Miclaus is also ranked nationally for the Tigers. Miclaus owns the 17th fastest time in the country in the 200 butterfly, 1:48.33.

Missouri's men's squad has also produced the 17th fastest time so far this season in the 200 medley relay. Ferrarelli, Aaron Lo, Shane Whildin and Mike Cervenka own a time of 1:31.41.

On the women's side, two relays are ranked in this week's top 25. The 200 freestyle relay team consisting of Jeanna Willi, Andrea Nigh, Tara Brooks and Kim Lambert has the 14th fastest time in the nation, 1:34.34. The 400 freestyle relay team made up of Nigh, Ellen Cross, Kara Bramer and Lambert own the 16th fastest time, 3:26.65.

"We're swimming very well at this point," said Head Coach Brian Hoffer. "Both teams are right where we want them to be. We have trained very hard, particularly through the invite meets. I'm very happy with our conditioning and I think it definitely helps heading into the second semester."