NCAA Div. I Men: Texas A&M Tops Missouri 177-118

AMES, Iowa, October 18. THE Texas A&M men's swimming and diving team earned a 177-118 victory over Missouri in its first dual meet of the season at Beyer Pool on Saturday.

The Aggies won 13 of 16 events, including both relays, in earning their third overall victory in three years over the Tigers.

"Ironically the only swimming event we lost was possibly the swim of the meet (Alex Dawson going 2:03 in the 200 breast in mid-October)," A&M head coach Mel Nash said. "He is so far ahead of last year's pace. It's exciting to see what the next couple of months is going to hold for him."

Senior Matt Rose, junior Dan Blanchard and sophomore Mark Solomon each won two events apiece for the Aggies.

Rose turned in perhaps the most impressive performance of the day by winning the 50-yard freestyle in an NCAA consideration, and near pool record, time of 20.27. Rose missed the Beyer Pool record in the event by .02. Rose also captured the 100 butterfly in 50.82.

Blanchard won both the 100 backstroke over teammate Josh Hill 51.23 to 51.39. Four races later, Blanchard earned the win in the 100 freestyle in 46.08.

"Dan is coming off of a great summer of training and is so far ahead, not only with his times, but what he looks like doing those times. He's much more powerful and in control of his swims."

Solomon won both of the day's distance events. Solomon won the 500 free in 4:41.54 while cruising to a 17-second win in the 1,000 free (9:48.38).

"Mark is stepping in to fill the shoes of departed senior Patrick Dideum for us," Nash said. He is really stepping up in the distance events. He did exactly what was needed for the team this weekend."

The foursome of Blanchard, Alfredo Jacobo, Joe Watso and Ross Collins opened the meet with a tight win in the 200 medley relay (1:33.46) while Collins, Scott Newmann, Blanchard and Rose closed the meet with a five-plus second win in the 400 free relay (3:05.08).

Other winners for Aggies on Saturday were Alex Dawson, 200 IM (1:53.38); Scott Hansen, 200 fly (1:53.31); Josh Hill, 200 back (1:50.23); Alfredo Jacobo, 100 breast (56.38); Scott Mueller, 200 free (1:42.10);

The Aggie men will be back in action on Nov. 7 when they travel to Penn State for a dual meet with the Nittany Lions.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

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

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x