Jan. 24, 2003
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- -
The Missouri men's swimming and diving team started the meet off strong, establishing a huge lead, then coasted to an easy victory against Drury University in a nonconference dual meet at the University Natatorium. The men won nine of the first 11 events before they too conceded and won 140-95.
It was Senior Day for the men's team as seniors Matt Ferrarelli, Radu Miclaus, Dane Pedersen, Kyle Sanders and Jamie Sweeney competed in their last home meet of their illustrious careers. The seniors did not disappoint.
Sweeney went out with a splash. He set a new school and pool record in the 1-meter dive with a score of 335.25, crushing his old record of 324.15. He also added a second place finish behind teammate Zac Metcalf in the 3-meter. Metcalf made a run at Sweeney's team and pool record of 334.13, but fell short with his 334.13.
Ferrarelli simply dominated in his last action in front of the home crowd. He won both the 400 individual medley (3:57.60) and 200 backstroke (1:50.99).
Miclaus out-touched the Panther's Henrik Weible to win the 200 butterfly with a score of 1:53.62. He finished third in the 200 freestyle behind teammate Ryan Searby (1:44.29) and the Panther's Ryan Norrie.
Pedersen finished second in the 1,000 freestyle with a season's best time of 9:44.18.
Sanders, swimming with a fractured foot, showed the heart and determination that his teammates have grown to know and decided to swim in his last home meet. He finished fourth in both the 200 freestyle and 200 butterfly.
Junior Tyler Belanger finished first in both the 50 ( 21.17) and 100 (47.42) freestyles to round out the top finishers for the Tigers.
The Tigers finished 1-2 in the 400 medley relay. Chris Lukas, Matt North, Miclaus and Searby finished first with a time of 3:28.07, ahead of Jacob Thomas, Stephan Darmitzel, David Darmitzel and Dan Buhr (3:33.02).
The men's team returns to action with a dual meet against Big Ten opponent Iowa on January 31.
NEWS FROM THE DECK: Before the meet the Special Olympics held an exhibition relay in the pool with many Tiger swimmers as coaches...The win against Drury assured the men's team of at least a .500 finish for the sixth consecutive season