Iowa State vs. Missouri

Columbia, MISSOURI, January 22. MISSOURI women's swimming and diving continued their undefeated conference season with a 200.00-98.00 victory over the Iowa State Cyclones Saturday.

The Missouri swim team began their meet against Iowa State this afternoon by holding an event with the Special Olympics. Athletes from the Mizzou Tiger Sharks competed in two different relay events while the Mizzou team and spectators cheered them on.

The Tigers started off the meet on a high note, sweeping first, second, and third in the 200 Medley Relay. The first place team made up of Cassie Cunningham, Morgan McCleery, Lisa Nathanson, and Alexis Spivak, finished with a time of 1:44.08. Dominque Bouchard, Emy DiBenigno, Courtney Rhodenbaugh, and Francie Szostak took second place with a time of 1:45.19. The team of Caitlyn Connor, Lauren Lavigna, Amanda Masters, and Stephanie Rovig rounded out the top three with a time of 1:46.20.

Taking on the challenging distance event, Ashley Paterson placed second in the 1000 free with a time of 10:36.42. Leah Cowperthwaite swam to a 10:39.85 finish, taking third place in the event.

In the 200 free, the Tigers claimed the top two spots. Stephanie Rovig and Dominique Bouchard swam 1:49.40 and 1:51.37, respectively.

Mizzou also placed first and second in the 100 backstroke. Cassie Cunningham took first with a time of 55.48 and Francie Szostak swam to a second place finish in 57.23.

The Tigers found victory in the 100 breaststroke, once again taking first, second, and third place. Morgan McCleery swam a time of 1:04.22 to claim first place. Amanda Masters and Lisa Nathanson swam 1:05.49 and 1:05.64, respectively, to take second and third.

In the 200 butterfly, Mizzou swam to a first and third place finish. Melissa Jamerson won the event with a time of 2:05.73. Brigette Selbert finished third in 2:14.47.

Sydney Schaefer won the 50 free with a time of 24.56. Swimming to a 24.85 finish, Caitlin Connor tied for third place.

After the break, the Tigers once again swept the top three spots in the 100 freestyle. Lisa Nathanson placed first with a time of 51.62. Swimming 52.64, Cassie Cunningham took second place and Sydney Schaefer placed third with a time of 52.86.

In the 200 backstroke, Mizzou took first and second. Francie Szostak finished in first, swimming 1:59.99. Lauren Lavigna placed second with a time of 2:03.37.

Mizzou claimed yet another top two finish in the 200 breaststroke. With a time of 2:21.57, Emy DiBenigno claimed first. Close behind her, Amanda Masters took second place, swimming 2:21.84.

Dominating the 500 freestyle, Stephanie Rovig placed first with a time of 4:52.91. Ashley Paterson finished in 5:08.47, taking third place.

The Tigers took first and second in the 100 butterfly. Dominique Bouchard and Lexi Spivak finished with times of 56.94 and 57.98, respectively.

Francie Szostak won the 200 IM with a time of 2:05.37. Emy DiBenigno clocked in at 2:09.90 to place second. Anastasia Sotiropoulos took third place in the event with a time of 2:11.06

The Tigers finished off the meet strong with the 400 Freestyle Relay. The team of Cassie Cunningham, Lisa Nathanson, Stephanie Rovig, and Sydney Schaefer took first in 3:29.23. Caitlin Connor, Leah Cowperthwaite, Lauren Mason, and Ashley Paterson placed second with a time of 3:37.34.

Missouri diving was dominant throughout the day, and maintained a stranglehold on the top spots in every event. In the 1 meter dive, the Tigers swept the top four spots on the board, as Sharon Finn recorded her first event victory with Missouri. Her 309.15 score earned her first place, while Loren Figueroa placed second (307.80), Jordan Morcom finished third (298.95), and Christina Gailey placed fourth (273.45).

In the most dominant performance of the day, Loren Figueroa shattered her personal best as well as Missouri's school record with her first place, 376.05 point finish in the 3 meter dive. In only her first year as a Tiger, her final score was a full 35 points higher than the previous University record– a 340.73 finish by Kendra Melnychuk at the 2008 NCAA Finals. Missouri went on to sweep honors in the event, as Jordan Morcom finished second (325.50) and Sharon Finn placed third (301.88).

Next, the Tiger women face Drury, as they honor all of their seniors, on February 4th at the Mizzou Aquatic Center.

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.

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