Feb. 13, 2007

Missouri head swimming and diving coach Brian Hoffer has said all season that his women's squad is one that is as deep as any he has had. That depth will be put to the test this week in College Station, Texas, at the 2007 Big 12 Championships.

With the speed that fifth-ranked Texas A&M and 11th-ranked Texas possess year-in and year-out, Mizzou will have to find a way to maintain its spot ahead of the always improving Iowa State, Kansas and Nebraska squads while still trying to unseat the Texas schools.

"Texas A&M is the team to beat this year and it will be a battle for them and Texas for the championship," Hoffer admits. "We hope (our depth will pay off) but the thing with the conference meet is it's so fast. Our goal is to get all of our scoring team in scoring position with fast morning swims because the depth only pays off if the people on the scoring team score."

That means getting as many athletes as possible into the 16-person championship finals in each event.