Nov. 9, 2005

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Thirteen Missouri swimmers have claimed spots on the national top-50 lists for individual events, according to Taper and Shave, an independent times aggregator in Carmichael, Calif.

Junior Shannon Hogan claimed the highest individual honor among both Tiger teams, ranking 12th in the 50 free with a time of 23.38. Senior David Darmitzel is the highest-ranking member of the men's squad, currently standing at No. 31 in the 100 breast (58.12), followed closely by sophomore Bennett Clark at No. 33 in the 100 free (45.93).

"This is a great start to our season," Mizzou head coach Brian Hoffer said. "This is what we have to do to be considered one of the top 25 teams in Division I. To have some times that are ranked is encouraging and motivating to our athletes and staff."

There are four individual events in which two Mizzou swimmers are currently among the nation's top 50 performers. Freshmen Jill Granger and Carly Sullivan rank 19th (10:02.03) and 45th (10:12.78), respectively, in the women's 1000 free; freshman Lori Halvorson ranks 36th (2:05.93) and sophomore Jill Bastien is 47th (2:06.48) in the women's 200 IM; senior Chris Lukas and sophomore Travis Floyd are tied for 37th nationally in the men's 100 back (51.42); and sophomore Lex Howard and freshman Gilad Kaufman rank 39th (51.00) and 49th (51.28), respectively, in the men's 100 fly.

Granger's time of 4:53.15 in the women's 500 free is good for 16th in the nation to this point in the season, giving her two top-20 times. Clark is also a multiple top-50 performer, adding a No. 35 ranking (20.96) in the men's 50 free to his position in the 100 free, as are Halvorson - No. 39 with 2:02.99 in women's 200 back - and Lukas - No. 40 with 1:51.06 in the men's 200 back. Senior Liz Schoborg is No. 38 in the women's 100 fly (56.74) and No. 41 in the women's 200 fly (2:03.60), giving the Tigers five swimmers with multiple appearances on national top-50 lists.

Freshman Lauren Cox has earned the No. 42 spot in the women's 100 free (51.63) for the Tigers.

The Mizzou relays have also fared well this season on the national level. On the men's side, the Tigers' 800 free relay is ranked 9th in the country (6:57.52). The Tiger men also stand at No. 16 in the 200 medley relay (1:33.57), No. 23 in the 200 free relay (1:25.23), No. 33 in the 400 free relay (3:07.82) and No. 43 in the 400 medley relay (3:31.27).

On the women's side, Mizzou boasts three relays in the nation's top 20 for each event. Their 200 free relay is ranked 13th (1:34.91), and they are No. 16 in the 800 free relay (7:40.04) and No. 17 in the 400 free relay (3:28.12). The Tiger women are also the No. 24 team in the nation in the 200 medley relay (1:46.20).