Jan. 22, 2005
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The era of the MU Natatorium ended on a good note Saturday afternoon, when the Missouri women's swimming and diving team defeated Iowa State, 188-107, in the last meet to be held in the 41 year old building.
"After 13 seasons, it's going to be a little sad to leave this building," Missouri head coach Brian Hoffer said. "We've had some great wins and some tough losses here. It's good to go out on a win."
Missouri (6-2, 2-1 Big 12) led the entire meet and earned their second wire-to-wire win in as many days, having defeated Drury on Friday evening.
Senior Becca Dawson, junior Liz Schoborg and senior Belinda Wood swept the top three places in the 200 butterfly, and the trio of freshman Sarah Menefee, sophomore Amy Charley and senior Amanda Morford did the same in the 200 backstroke.
Senior Lindsay Palbykin turned in victories in the 100 and 200 freestyle, Dawson added a first-place finish in the 100 fly to her win in the 200 and senior Mariona Costa took first in both the 100 and 200 breast. Sophomore Shannon Hogan added a win in the 50 free, as did junior Laura Pontecore in the 500 free.
"The seniors did a fantastic job today," Hoffer said. "I don't expect them to win every race, but I always expect them to work hard and it's paid off for them this year."
Freshman Rachel Witt claimed victory in the 1-meter dive with a score of 259.43. Junior Nicky Frazier responded to winning the 3-meter dive against Drury with a first-place finish in the same event against the Cyclones.
Junior Lydia Smirniotis won the 1000 free for Iowa State (3-4, 0-1) and sophomore Lauren Breuning chipped in a victory in the 200 IM.
This win marks the sixth consecutive defeat of Iowa State for the Missouri women's squad.
The women are off until Saturday, February 5, when they travel to Lincoln, Neb. to face the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Big 12 competition.