Feb. 23, 2002
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Missouri women's swimming and diving team reached new heights in the Big 12 Conference on Saturday by finishing in third place at the 2002 Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championships on the campus of Texas A&M University. The Tigers (522 Points) won a three-way battle with Iowa State (500) and Kansas (487.5). The University of Texas repeated as champions with 1055.5 points. Texas A&M finished second with 675 points.
"We won the battle," said Head Coach Brian Hoffer. "This was an unbelievable meet. I give our kids a lot of credit. They stepped it up when they had to. They picked each other up. It is a great accomplishment to take third place in this conference."
The Missouri men's team finished in third place behind champion Texas and Texas A&M . The Tigers put a strong performance all weekend long, ending with points.
"I'm really proud of the guys," said Hoffer. "We went out there and gave it our all, even without our best swimmer (Matt Ferrarelli). The guys should really be proud of themselves."
The Missouri women got off to a strong start on Saturday night when three swimmers placed in the top eight in the 1650 freestyle. Junior Katy Chandler took third place in a time of 16:59.80 and was followed by junior Sarah Stowe who finished in fourth (17:00.85). Junior Lizza Igoe was eighth for the Tigers in a time of 17:04.75. Senior Molly Vetter contributed six important team points for Missouri in her final swim of her career. Vetter finished 11th in a time of 17:18.47.
"We new coming into tonight that the mile would be a huge event for us," said Hoffer. "All four ladies were great tonight."
Freshman Josh Boyd, who broke the school record in the 500 freestyle on Thursday, broke both the 1000 and 1650 freestyle records on Saturday. Boyd finished third in the event in a time of 15:38.50. His time at 1000 yards was 9:20.29, lowering the school record by five seconds.
While the Missouri women did not have any finalists in the 200 backstroke, Mizzou came up big in the consolation finals. Freshman Amanda Morford, who finished third on Friday night in the 100 backstroke, won the consolation finals of the 200 backstroke in a time of 2:03.48, the third fastest time in school history. Sarah Stowe continued her fabulous night with a 10th place finish (2:05.95) while Sarah Lo finished fourth (2:06.39).
Freshman Jacob Thomas raced some of the best backstroke swimmers in the country in the finals of the men's 200 backstroke. Thomas finished eighth in a time of 1:52.90.
In the women's 100 freestyle, junior Andrea Nigh finished in eighth place after breaking her own school record in the prelims with a time of 50.72. Junior Ellen Cross added a point for Mizzou with a 16th place finish.
The Tigers best event of the day was the 200 breaststroke. Freshman Mariona Costa, who claimed Missouri's first Big 12 Championship on Friday night in the 100 breaststroke, came in third place on Saturday in a time of 2:16.94, a new school record. Junior Tiffany Bohon came in fifth place for the Tigers with a time of 2:19.88. Missouri's consolation swimmers posted important team points when Leslie Hoh and Megan Morford finished first and second. Hoh's time of 2:19.75 was her best collegiate time.
"The breaststroke was a fast race," said Hoffer. "Mariona and Tiffany were awesome, and even as important were the swims of Leslie and Megan. Those points were big after a tough 100 freestyle."
Freshman Matt North and sophomore Stephen Darmitzel were finalists in the men's 200 breaststroke. North finished in seventh place in a time of 2:05.62. Darmitzel was eighth in a time of 2:07.04.
Freshman Becca Dawson qualified for her first career Big 12 championship race in the 200 butterfly. Dawson came in seventh place with a time of 2:02.40. Sophomore Rebecca Wolfe was the winner of the consolation finals for Missouri.
Junior Radu Miclaus put together the race of his career in the 200 butterfly. Miclaus finished in second place in a time of 1:46.40, breaking his own school record by a full second. Senior Shane Whildin finished in the seventh place for the Tigers.
"Radu has got a shot at NCAA's," said Hoffer. "His time tonight went to the show two years ago. There are some opportunities for Radu to go faster before NCAA's. We'll sit down and weigh our options."
Senior diver Erin Wilke was a big reason why the Tigers were able to hold off Iowa State and Kansas. For the third consecutive year, Wilke reached the finals of the platform diving competition. Wilke finished in sixth place, the best finish of her career. Freshmen Amanda Marit and Anna Massey came in 12th and 13th place respectively on the platform while walk-on freshman Sarah Sprigg chipped with a team point by placing 16th.
"Erin (Wilke) came though against for us, just like she did last year," said Hoffer. "She has been a real asset to this program, so I am glad she could go out on such a high note."
Junior men's diver Jamie Sweeney came in fifth place on the platform for Missouri.
The Tigers closed the meet by placing fifth in the 400 freestyle relay. The team of Nigh, Tara Brooks, Amanda Morford and Ellen Cross posted a time of 3:25.45, the second fastest time in school history.
TEAM SCORES:
WOMEN:
1. Texas 1055.5
2. Texas A&M 675
3. Missouri 522
4. Iowa State 500
5. Kansas 487.5
6. Nebraska 186
MEN:
1. Texas 1085.5
2. Texas A&M 780.5
3. Missouri 624