University of Missouri
Big 12 Championships
Missouri Swimming Completes Day One At Big 12 Championships
2/21/2002 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
Feb. 21, 2002
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Missouri women's swimming and diving team is in fourth place while the men are in third after day one of the Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championships in College Station, Texas on the campus of Texas A&M University. Junior women's swimmer Andrea Nigh and freshman men's swimmer Josh Boyd highlighted day one by breaking the oldest school records left on the board under Head Coach Brian Hoffer.
Nigh, who finished sixth overall in the 50 freestyle, turned in a time of 23.17 seconds to break the school record formerly held by Missouri Athletics Hall-of-Fame member Susan Tietjen. Tietjen set the record back in 1981. Boyd, who finished seventh in the 500 freestyle, recorded a mark of 4:29.77, breaking the old record held by Scott Halliburton since 1984.
"It was great to see those two records go down today," said Hoffer. "They were the last two records standing that were not set by my swimmers, so those swims were pretty special."
The Tigers put two swimmers in the finals of the women's 500 freestyle. Junior Katy Chandler posted a time of 4:54.81 and finished in third place while sophomore Lizza Igoe claimed fifth place with a time of 4:56.59. Sophomore Rebecca Wolfe was the winner in the consolation finals with a time of 4:57.71.
"I am real happy with our distance swimmers," said Hoffer. "Chandler is setting herself up for a great meet and Lizza stepped up and did what she had to do. Rebecca (Wolfe) really helped us out by winning the consolation race."
The Mizzou men took three of the top four places in the consolation finals of the 200 individual medley. Radu Miclaus was the winner in a time of 1:52.22. Sophomore Stephen Darmitzel recorded the fastest time in his career by finishing third and 11th overall with a time of 1:53.49. Freshman Matt North was fourth in the consolation finals with a time of 1:54.15.
The Missouri women did not fare as well in the 200 individual medley. Freshmen Becca Dawson, Megan Morford and Amanda Morford finished 14th, 15th and 16th overall.
The Missouri men took 10th, 11th and 12th overall in the 50 freestyle, led by freshman Justin Zeimetz (20.83). Sophomore Tyler Belanger broke the 21 second barrier for the first time in his career with a time of 20.94.
"We have been waiting for Tyler (Belanger) to get under 21 seconds for a long time," said Hoffer. "I am really happy for Justin (Zeimetz) and Tyler.
The Missouri men finished second behind Texas in the 200 freestyle relay with a time of 1:23.82. Texas A&M finished third after being disqualified. The women's 200 freestyle relay came in fourth place. The team of Nigh, Ellen Cross, Amanda Morford and Tara Brooks finished in a time of 1:34.09, the third fastest time in school history.
In the 400 medley relay, the team of Sarah Lo, Mariona Costa, Becca Dawson and Andrea Nigh placed fourth with a new school record in a time of 3:47.47. The Mizzou men came in third place. The team of Miclaus, North, Shane Whildin and Belanger finished in a time of 3:23.04.
In men's three-meter diving, junior Jamie Sweeney came in fourth place of five competitors. He was second on the one-meter board on Wednesday.
The Mizzou women have 126 points and expect the meet to remain close in the quest for second place.
"This team is ready battle all weekend with Texas A&M, Iowa State and Kansas," said Hoffer. "It is going to be an exciting next couple of days."
The men are in third with 170 points behind nationally-ranked Texas and Texas A&M.
"The men are out for themselves and are off to a very good start," said Hoffer. "I expect us to keep getting faster as the weekend goes along."
TEAM SCORES:
WOMEN:
| Texas | 355 |
| Texas A&M | 192 |
| Iowa State | 139 |
| Missouri | 126 |
| Kansas | 121 |
| Nebraska | 67 |
MEN:
| Texas | 358.5 |
| Texas A&M | 205.5 |
| Missouri | 170 |
