Texas Men, Women Lead After Day Two of Big 12 Championships

COLUMBIA, Mo.February 23. THE Texas men jumped from third to first place on day two of the 2006 Big 12 Swimming & Diving Championships, while the UT women took sole possession of the lead after sharing the top spot with Texas A&M on day one.

Nine-time conference men's champion UT swept the swimming events on Thursday. In the first race of the night, freshman Michael Klueh broke the Big 12 meet and conference record in the 500-yard freestyle (4:15.28) to start the Longhorn rally. Klueh's debut performance at the league championships also automatically qualified him for the NCAA Championships scheduled for March 23-25 at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center. It marks the second straight day for Klueh to shatter a meet record. Klueh surpassed the 200 free time previously held by Anthony Rogis (Nebraska) after swimming 1:34.67 on the opening leg of the 800 free relay.

Klueh's teammate Garrett Weber-Gale added two more conference victories to his career accolades with a win in the 50 free and as the anchor leg of the 400 medley relay. Weber-Gale has won eight league titles — two individual crowns and six as a relay team member.

Caleb McDermott claimed the 200 individual medley to earn his first conference championship. The Canyon Lake, Texas native posted a national consideration time of 1:47.62.

In diving action, 2005 Big 12 Championships Diver of the Meet Eric Sehn (Texas A&M) defended his three-meter diving title. He compiled a 397.25 score. Sehn, a sophomore, is undefeated at the league meet, after capturing all three diving competitions last year and tonight's victory.

Underclassmen dominated the women's field on day two. Freshmen won three of the four individual events contested on day two. Texas A&M Codie Hansen recorded her second victory in as many days, by winning the gold in the 500 freestyle. On Wednesday she swam the opening leg of the 800 free relay, which set a meet and conference record and automatically qualified the squad for nationals. Fellow Aggie Triin Aljand also collected her first career win in the 50 free.

Kathryn Kelly (Texas) claimed the one-meter diving competition with a score of 276.10 at her first league meet. While Longhorn junior Elaine Ferritto posted an NCAA automatic time of 1:59.61 in the 200 IM.

Connie Brown, Elizabeth Tinnon, Katie Robinson and Jaclyn Faulkner extended the Texas win streak to eight when the team won the 400 medley relay. Tinnon earned the 10th Big 12 crown of her career, and it was Brown's eighth victory.

The championships resume Friday at 10 a.m. with preliminary action, while the finals are slated for 6 p.m.

For complete results visit the Big 12 web site at big12sports.com.

TEAM STANDINGS

Men

1. Texas: 344.50
2. Texas A&M: 290.50
3. Missouri: 219.00

Women

1. Texas: 345.50
1. Texas A&M: 261.00
3. Missouri: 134.00
4. Kansas: 131.00
5. Iowa State: 116.00
6. Nebraska: 111.50

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