Dec. 19, 2002

COLUMBIA, Mo. -

The Big 12 Conference announced that senior Jamie Sweeney was selected as the Big 12 Male Diver of the Month for December. The selections were made by a vote of the league's head swimming and diving coaches.

Sweeney's selection was based on his performance in a dual meet against Southeastern Conference opponent Kentucky on December 7. The Tigers fell to the Wildcats 133-166, however Sweeney had one of his better meets of the year. The Eureka, Missouri native finished second in the 3-meter and third in the 1-meter boards at the dual.

Competing against one of the top divers in the country in All-American Clayton Moss, Sweeney held his own and scored a 287.70 in the 3-meter and a 269.63 in the 1-meter. His score in the 1-meter was a season's best.

Earlier this season at the Fall Illini Classic (Oct. 26), Sweeney qualified for his fourth NCAA Zone D Championships. He recorded a score of 315.60 in the 3-meter to gain the berth.

Sweeney is the second Tiger to be selected with this honor this season. Teammate Evan Watters was named the October Diver of the Month. Sweeney is the fifth Tiger this season to be named either Swimmer or Diver of the Month by the Big 12. Most recently senior Matt Ferrarelli was selected as November Swimmer of the Month. Fellow senior Radu Miclaus was selected as October Swimmer of the Month and junior Andrea Nigh was selected October Swimmer of the Month for the women's team.

The men's and women's swimming and diving teams will break for the holidays and resume action next year with a training meet against Arizona State and Wyoming in Tempe, Arizona on January 4, 2002.