Feb. 15, 2001

AUSTIN, Texas- Missouri senior diver KRISTY WANNER came within one point of becoming the Tigers' first ever Big 12 champion on Wednesday night at the Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin, Texas at the 2001 Big 12 Women's Swimming and Diving Championships. The senior from Sarnia, Ontario becomes the highest finisher in Missouri diving history at the Big 12 Championships.

Wanner, who entered the finals of the one-meter diving competition seeded fourth, led the field heading into the sixth and final round. Wanner performed a successful dive on her final attempt putting a lot of pressure on the University of Texas' KRISTEN MARQUIS. Marquis stepped up to the challenge and executed a near perfect dive to edge out Wanner for the title. Marquis ended the meet with 281.55 points. Wanner finished with 280.50 points. The top four finishers were all within six points of one another.

Wanner will have a chance again today for a Big 12 title in the three-meter diving event, her best event.

In one-meter men's diving competition, the Tigers also enjoyed a big night. Sophomores JAMIE SWEENEY and JASON OTTE finished in fifth and sixth places overall, both finishing higher than expected.

The men's Big 12 Championships do not begin until March 1, but the men's diving competition is taking place this weekend due to scheduling. The NCAA Zone Meet is scheduled to begin just two days after the Big 12 Championships finish up.

The men's three-meter competition will take place on Friday.