Feb. 15, 2007

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Missouri had four men's swimmers advance to the championship finals of the Big 12 Swimming & Diving Championships on day two at the Texas A&M Student Rec Center Natatorium Thursday.

Freshman Dylan Lynn got things started on the right foot as he emerged from the prelims of the 500 free as the top qualifier in a school-record time of 4:28.09 - more than five seconds off his previous best. Four other Tigers advanced to the consolation final as well.

Other strong times were generated by junior Bennett Clark in the 50 free, along with freshman Martin Cernansky and sophomore Bryan Difford in the 200 IM.

Clark's time of 20.03 marked a season-best and remains the second-fastest in school annals. He was the second-fastest qualifier in the morning swim. Gilad Kaufman, Alex Zasadny and Nate Zabel will all score in the consolation final.

Cernansky and Difford finished their heats as the Nos. 7 and 8 qualifiers in nearly identical times of 1:52.14 and 1:52.18, respectively. Cernansky's time is his best at Mizzou.

In the 1-meter diving competition, Tiger freshman Greg DeStephen was the high point scorer in the morning dives with 272.85 points. His total is fifth overall but just 7.65 behind third. Junior David Boyko was sixth with 262.80.

On the women's side, sophomore Jill Granger and freshman Colleen Gordon will swim in the consolation final of the 500 free. Senior Amy Charley was the only Tiger to advance in the 200 IM as she will race in the consolation final as well.

Senior Shannon Hogan narrowly missed earning a spot in the top-8 of the 50 free competition as the ninth-fastest qualifier in a time of 24.54.

The women's 3-meter springboard is still in progress with Tigers Kendra Melnychuk and Kim Massaro competing for a spot in the finals.