July 22, 2007
Oklahoma City, Okla. - The Missouri swimming teams continued their winning ways in Saturday's final day of action at the Central Section Region VIII Long Course Swimming Championships in Oklahoma City. The Tiger men and women combined for 26 overall medals, 12 of those gold, over the course of the meet's four days to capture the men's, women's and overall meet trophies.
The Tigers' accomplishments in the pool served to build on the success the teams garnered at last year's sectional meet, which was held in their very own Mizzou Aquatic Center.
"Last year we won the summer sectional meet for the first time in our program's history," said Missouri Head Coach Brian Hoffer. "And we did it at home, which was a nice touch. But this summer we had to travel to take part in the meet. The athletes had to make a lot of sacrifices for us to have even had the presence we did there, let alone win the entire meet. I was very pleased with all of their efforts this week, as well as those put forth by my staff."
The Tigers' efforts were certainly on display Saturday, including those of junior Bryan Difford. Difford created the morning's first waves for Mizzou in the 200 IM as he raced to gold in an Olympic cut time of 2:06.79, which was just three-tenths of a second shy of the meet record. Teammate Jake Hoffman collected third in the event in a time of 2:11.09.
On the women's side, Colleen Gordon also made a splash as she touched in for gold and set a pool record in the 1500 free in a national cut time of 17:05.34. Gordon's time was nearly 10 seconds quicker than her nearest competitor, fellow Tiger Jill Granger, who clocked in at 17:14.48. Teammate Carly Sullivan finished fifth in a time of 17:30.42.
Gordon's pool record comes a day after the men's 800 free relay quartet of Max Jaben, Matt Dahlke, Travis Floyd and Cameron Sellers combined for a meet record in the event.
Max Jaben followed Gordon's lead in the men's 1500 free, an event in which he already holds the meet record, taking gold in a time of 16:16.39.
Senior Bennett Clark closed out the day's individual events with a runner-up finish in the 50 free in a national cut time of 23.59. Teammate Joe Wiedemeier took fifth in the race in a time of 24.27.
The week's events concluded with the 400 Medley Relay. The Tiger squad of Clark, Jaben and teammates Travis Floyd and Cameron Sellers brought home the win in a national cut time of 3:54.09. In the women's portion of the event, the quartet of Sarah Menefee, Erin Yeager, Arica Jacinto and Colleen Gordon combined for their own national cut time and third-place honors after posting a time of 4:25.13.
With the sectional meet under their belt, up next for the Tigers will be the National Swimming Championships beginning Tuesday, July 31 in Indianapolis. Among those traveling to the Hoosier State to participate in the meet will be Bennett Clark, Bryan Difford, Max Jaben, Colleen Gordon and Jill Granger.
Saturday's Finals Results
Women 200 LC IM
10. Colleen Gordon, 2:25.17
12. Jill Granger, 2:26.57
17. Arica Jacinto, 2:26.62
22. Sarah Menefee, 2:29.63
Men 200 LC IM
1. Bryan Difford, 2:06.79
3. Jake Hoffman, 2:11.09
7. Brandon Lee, 2:14.69
10. Travis Floyd, 2:14.45
Women 1500 LC Free
1. Colleen Gordon, 17:05.34
2. Jill Granger, 17:14.48
5. Carly Sullivan, 17:30.42
Men 1500 LC Free
1. Max Jaben, 16:16.39
12. Cameron Sellers, 16:59.16
Women 50 LC Free
10. Katie Gates, 27.31
Men 50 LC Free
2. Bennett Clark, 23.59
5. Joe Wiedemeier, 24.27
10. Bryan Difford, 24.46
19. Matt Dahlke, 25.09
20. Byron Carlisle, 25.14
Women 400 LC Medley Relay
3. Mizzou Swim Team `A' (Menefee, Erin Yeager, Jacinto, Gordon), 4:25.13
23. Mizzou Swim Team `B' (Kirsten David, Aimee Hukill, Granger, Gates), 4:40.24
Men 400 LC Medley Relay
1. Mizzou Swim Team `A' (Floyd, Clark, Jaben, Sellers), 3:54.09
4. Mizzou Swim Team `B' (Carlisle, Difford, Eric Smith, Dahlke), 3:58.72