Tigers Take On Cyclones in Road Contest
1/18/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
Jan. 18, 2008
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Missouri women's swimming and diving team (9-1, 1-1 Big 12) heads to Ames, Iowa, Saturday for a road contest with Big 12 neighbor-to-the-north Iowa State. Saturday's action is set to kick off at 12 p.m. at Beyer Pool. Live results will be available at Cyclones.com
Last Year
Iowa State proved no match for the then-No. 24 Tigers in their 2006-07 tilt at the Mizzou Aquatics Center. The Tigers claimed 11 of 16 events on Senior Day, including each of the back, breast and fly races, en route to a 184-103 victory over the Cyclones.
Scouting the Cyclones
The Cyclones have only raced in four duals this season, compiling a 3-1 record to date. The team suffered its first loss (177-104) to national force Texas A&M on Oct. 20, one day after finishing last in the annual conference relays. The Cyclones have won all three dual meets since though, beating both South Dakota State (182-111) and Northern Iowa (180-57) on the road. ISU knocked off in-state foe Iowa by a score of 152-148 in early December to close out first semester action. The Cyclones host the Oles of St. Olaf on Friday.
Double Digits
Currently at 9-1, the Tigers are in the hunt for their 10th win of the season, Saturday. With a win in Ames the women will have reached the decade-mark for the first time since 2002-03, when the team finished the season with a 13-1 record. The 2002-03 Tigers were the only team under Head Coach Brian Hoffer's 15-year reign to reach double-digit wins. During Hoffer's tenure, four teams totaled eight "W's", while a pair of others reached nine.
Speaking of Double Digits...
A win against the Cyclones, Saturday, will make it 13-straight for Mizzou over Iowa State. The Tigers' 174.5-67.5 drubbing of the Cyclones in 1996-97 represents the largest margin of victory for the team during this 12-year span.
Diving Right In
Junior Kendra Melnychuk was nearly impossible to beat during the first half of the season. The New Year has been much of the same for the Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, native. Melnychuk captured an easy win in 1-meter diving competition, Saturday, against Arkansas and Missouri State with her score of 282.15 and returned to the well for a second victory on the 3-meter board (318.15).
Must Be a Canadian Thing
Senior Taye Patterson has been almost as consistent as Melnychuk this season. The Quebec native got off to a strong start in 2008, cruising to victory in the 50 free (23.72) and touching in for a second gold in the 100 back in a time of 56.68.
Diaper Dandies
The Tiger newcomers have certainly earned their stripes this season. In Saturday's meet with the Hogs and Bears, freshman Lauren Lavigna paced the field in the 200 back in a time of 2:04.20. Northbrook, Ill., native Francie Szostak swam to a pair of runner-up finishes in the 200 (1:50.50) and 500 free (4:57.73), while classmate Melissa Jamerson followed suit in the 200 fly in a time of 2:03.62. San Antonio, Texas, native Jenny Franzone rounded out the top-three in 3-meter diving with her score of 238.60.
