University of Missouri
Big 12 Conference Championships
BIG 12 CHAMPION: MATT FERRARELLI
3/2/2001 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
March 2, 2001
AUSTIN, Texas- Missouri sophomore swimmer MATT FERRARELLI became the school's first Big 12 Champion on Friday night at the 2001 Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championships in Austin, Texas. The Retford Knotts, England native won the 400 individual medley, knocking off three Texas swimmers for the crown. His winning was 3:47.38, an NCAA automatic qualifying time, making him the first Missouri male swimmer to qualify for the NCAA Championships since 1997. MIKE TUCKER became Head Coach BRIAN HOFFER'S second NCAA qualifier in the breaststroke. Ferrarelli is Hoffer's first conference champion in his nine years at Missouri.
The Tigers, who have never finished above sixth place in the Big 12 Conference, are in a comfortable fifth place with 251 points. Kansas is a distant sixth with 173.50 points. Texas is dominating the meet with 806 points. The meet concludes on Saturday night.
The night seemingly got off to a great start when the 200 medley relay team finished in fourth place. The fourth place finish turned into no place points at all when Missouri was disqualified due to an illegal exchange on the final leg of the race.
Ferrarelli quickly turned the mood of the Tigers around with his championship swim. Missouri then put up valuable points in the 100 butterfly. Three MU swimmers reached the consolation race with RADU MICLAUS and SHANE WHILDIN taking 10th and 11th places respectively while freshman TYLER BELANGER finished 15th. Miclaus' prelim swim of 58.84 seconds was the fourth fastest swim in school history.
Senior MIKE CERVENKA finished 11th in the 200 freestyle with sophomore STEPHEN DURLEY placing 14th. Then it was senior captain AARON LO and sophomore DAN KNUDSON stepping things up for Mizzou in the 100 breaststroke consolation race. Lo finished 10th with a time of 57.36 while Knudson finished 11th in a time of 57.56.
Miclaus came for the Tigers in the 100 backstroke and picked up a 10th place finish. His time of 50.25 improved his own third all-time best swim at Missouri.
The night concluded with the 800 freestyle relay. The team of Cervenka, Ferrarelli, Durley and Belanger posted an impressive time of 6:43.49, the second fastest time in school history.
POINT TOTALS 1. Texas 806 2. Texas A&M 442 3. Iowa State 345 4. Nebraska 336.50 5. MISSOURI 251 6. Kansas 173.50
