Feb. 22, 2002

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Missouri women's swimming and diving team is in fourth place with 319 points on a day where the Tigers first ever women's Big 12 Champion was crowned. Freshman Mariona Costa won the 100 yard breaststroke in a time of 1:03.76 to become Missouri's first Big 12 champ. Columbia Hickman product Tiffany Bohon finished second in the race in a time of 1:03.87, followed by junior Leslie Hoh, who took fourth place in a time of 1:04.21.

"I did not expect it all," said Costa. "It was a great race."

Costa broke her own school record while Bohon now holds the second fastest time in school history.

"This race was huge," said Bohon. "We had to make a run at Kansas, Iowa State and Texas A&M and these are the things we've got to do."

It was an excellent all-around day for the women's and men's teams. The Mizzou men are in third place with 411 points behind Texas and Texas A&M, but racked up several lifetime best swims and placed a number of swimmers in the championship finals.

The story of the day was the Mizzou women. It what is proving to be the fastest Big 12 Championship meet in history, the Tigers 200 medley relay team came in fourth place, yet shattering the school record. The team of Amanda Morford, Bohon, Becca Dawson and Andrea Nigh knocked off a second off the school record with a time of 1:43.85.

The men's 200 medley relay team consisting of Radu Miclaus, Dan Knudson, Shane Whildin and Tyler Belanger posted the fifth fastest time in school history with a mark of 1:31.00. Both Texas and Texas A&M recorded automatic NCAA qualifying times in the relay.

The other big story of the day took place on the women's side. Freshmen identical twins Amanda and Megan Morford made themselves known to the Big 12 Conference. The Baldwin, Kan. natives each reached their first career Big 12 championship finals. Amanda took third place, surprisingly taking over two seconds off her lifetime best time and breaking the school record twice on the day. Morford recorded a time of 55.53, a time that could qualify her for the NCAA Championships in March.

Megan Morford recorded the third fastest time in school history while finishing in eighth place in the 400 individual medley. Her time was 4:25.06. Missouri racked up several team points in the 400 IM thanks to solid races in the consolation finals by Leslie Hoh (10th, 4:25.60), Belinda Wood (13th, 4:28.55) and Rebecca Wolfe (14th, 4:28.83).

On the men's side, four Tigers qualified for the championship finals of the 400 individual medley. Freshman Josh Boyd finished in fourth place in a time of 4:03.54. Sophomores Dustin McKnight (4:06.36) and Brady Knippenberg (4:09.95) finished sixth and seventh respectively while freshman Jacob Thomas was eighth in a time of 4:14.67.

"It was great to see those guys get some experience in this setting," said Head Coach Brian Hoffer. "I am really proud of the way the guys are swimming right now. They are not intimidated by Texas or Texas A&M. They have gone out and competed."

The Missouri men received took third and fourth places in the 100 butterfly. Junior Radu Miclaus lowered his personal best time to 48.81 with a third place finish while senior Shane Whildin was fourth in a time of 49.09, also a personal best time. Sophomore Tyler Belanger finished second in the consolation finals with a lifetime best time of 50.70.

While the University of Texas dominated the 200 freestyle event, Missouri made up some ground with a solid showing in the consolation finals. Sophomore Lizza Igoe came in second place in a time of 1:51.59, the third fastest time in school history. Senior Molly Vetter came in fourth in a time of 1:51.98. Junior Katy Chandler chalked up a point with an eighth place finish.

While the women's team stole the headlines in the 100 breaststroke, the men's squad held its own. Junior Dan Knudson cracked the all-time top five at Missouri with a fifth place finish in a time of 57.06. Freshman Matt North came in seventh place in a time of 57.87.

Amanda Morford's 100 backstroke performance garnered 18 team points for the Tigers, but Missouri also received seven points from sophomore Sarah Lo following her second place finish in the consolation finals. Junior Ellen Cross collected five team points by finishing fourth.

In women's three-meter diving, freshman Anna Massey came in 12th place for the Tigers with a score of 412.35. Senior Erin Wilke was 15th (400.45). Both Missouri's men's and women's divers will take to the platform tomorrow, an event that the Tigers could potentially post several team points.

The final race of day two was the 800 freestyle relay. The team of Igoe, Vetter, Chandler and Tara Brooks finished third as Brooks was just out-touched by the Iowa State. The Cyclones finished with a time of 7:28.15 while the Tigers recorded the second fastest time in school history with a time of 7:28.46.

The final day of competition begins with prelims at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. The Missouri women will be in a battle with Iowa State and Kansas for third place. The Tigers have never finished higher than fourth place at the conference meet.

"All three schools had great days today," said Head Coach Brian Hoffer. "Texas A&M pulled away from the pack today with some great diving performances, but the chance to battle for third has got our team excited. It is going to be one heck of final night tomorrow."

"I couldn't be happier with Mariona (Costa) and Tiffany (Bohon). We knew we had a chance for a win in the 100 breaststroke."

"As far as the Morford sisters go, I could have never imagined those two would step up the way they have," added Hoffer. "They are amazing young ladies and just a joy to coach."