Texas vs. Texas A&M

COLLEGE STATION, Texas, February 3. A tornado warning in College Station delayed the Texas-Texas A&M dual meet over one hour but the Longhorns were still able to get off to a fast start and cruise to a 133.5-102.5 victory over the Aggies Friday.

"The guys have done a phenomenal job in warmups," said head coach Eddie Reese. "They are really determined to swim fast times. They have been waiting all year for it and we thought this would be a prelude to NCAAs but the 75-minute delay definitely hurt because we only had 20 minutes to go under water and get ready to race."

With a tornado spotted nearby an announcement was made just prior to the start of the meet for the teams to clear the pool area and head to the Student Recreation Natatorium locker rooms. The team was huddled together for 45 minutes before they were allowed to return to the pool to warm up once again.

"It is rough when you set yourself up for a schedule and it gets shaken up with an hour delay it is not easy," said junior Nick D'Innocenzo. "We are a tough group and we know how to handle that kind of stuff. With the start we had to the day it was good to see us all come out and swim fantastic times."

It was the final time the two schools would face each other in a Big 12 dual meet and the Longhorns continued their series dominance with victories in ??? events. The win extended the Longhorns' lead in the State Farm Lonestar Showdown to 7-1. The annual all-sports competition between the two schools now has 11 points remaining with UT needing just three more to clinch the season championship.

"It is nice to get a win," said D'Innocenzo. "Texas A&M races hard and even if we are winning the event there is a race somewhere in the pool between two lanes and we get going for that. No matter where the race is it is something we all share a love in."

The Longhorns won each of the first six events starting with the 400-yard medley relay. The A and B relay teams finished first and second respectively with NCAA B qualifying times of 3:12.46 and 3:16.63. The winning relay featured Hayes Johnson, D'Innocenzo, Tripp Cooper and Kerrington Hill.
The top two spots in the 1000 freestyle went to Longhorns as Jake Ritter earned his first collegiate victory with a time of 9:05.54. Reid Walker was second with 9:16.28. UT swept the top three spots in the 200 freestyle. Dax Hill swam the second fastest time in the nation this season and ninth fastest in school history (1:34.03). Clay Youngquist was second with a NCAA B time of 1:37.92 and Jackson Wilcox took third overall.

Jimmy Feigen picked up his fourth victory of the year in the 50 freestyle with a time of 19.71, the only swimmer under 20.00 on the day and make a NCAA B standard. UT claimed the top four spots in the 200 IM as D'Innocenzo won the race at 1:48.13 and was followed by Austin Surhoff, Neil Caskey and Grant Rogers. The top three all had NCAA B cut times.

After five events the Longhorns led 73-19 heading into the first diving break. Drew Livingston captured the 1-meter diving event with 395.62 points to extend the Longhorns' lead on the day. It was the second time this season Livingston has won the 1-meter.

Feigen earned his second win of the day with a NCAA B cut time of 43.72 in the 100 freestyle. Youngquist was right behind him with a 44.72. Johnson claimed his first victory of the year with a 1:46.23 in the 200 backstroke for a NCAA B cut time. Kip Darmody was second in the event.

D'Innocenzo swam the 500 freestyle for the first time this season and came away with a first place finish, clocking a 4:28.82. His victory put the Longhorns in front 127.5-58.5 with three events remaining.

"The last time I swam the 500 was last year at SMU." It is something nice to do with no pressure. Before the event I was looking at Jackson (Wilcox) and Reid (Walker) and asking them what to do because you lose touch with that type of event. I like that distance, not too long and not too short."

Texas capped its scoring off with the 3-meter diving event. Livingston posted 449.62 points to come in second while Will McCraney was fourth with 338.02 points.

The final two events were exhibition events for the Longhorns. Matt Hoyland had UT's fastest time in the 200 breaststroke at 2:03.03, the second fastest in the event. The A 400-yard freestyle relay team had the fastest time with D. Hill, Tripp Cooper, Britt Dalby and Youngquist teaming up for 2:56.91.

Next up for the Longhorns will be the Big 12 Championships Feb. 22-25 in Columbia, Mo.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use