University of Missouri
Arkansas / Missouri State
No. 18 Tigers Tame Arkansas, Missouri State
1/18/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving, Swimming & Diving
Jan. 12, 2008
Results |
Women's Photo Gallery 
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The 18th-ranked Missouri women's swimming and diving team (9-1, 1-1 Big 12) opened up 2008 action with a pair of dual wins, Saturday, over Arkansas and in-state rival Missouri State. The Tigers routed the Bears by a score of 210-71 and edged the Razorbacks in a 151-149 nail-biter. Due to timing system errors it took several days for meet officials to name a winner in the Mizzou-Arkansas contest, with the Tigers ultimately being ruled the victors by two points.
"This was one of the most exciting meets we have had over the past couple years," said Missouri Head Coach Brian Hoffer. "The score could not have been closer. Arkansas stepped up and was consistent across the board. Our girls gave a great effort though, especially Colleen and Taye. As a team, we're looking to build on today's efforts and finish the rest of the season strong heading into conference."
Sophomore Colleen Gordon got things started for the Tigers with a runner-up finish in the 1000 free (9:54.61). The Texan also led a 1-2-4 Mizzou finish in the 100 free in a time of 51.43, edging junior Lori Halvorson (52.19) for the top spot. Gordon was not done though, adding a second silver to her day's collection in the 100 fly (56.08).
Halvorson had her time in the limelight though. The Tiger co-captain touched ahead of freshman Francie Szostak for the win in the 200 free in a time of 1:50.42. Halvorson returned to the pool for a second-place showing in the 200 IM (2:05.60) later in the meet, as did Szostak in the 500 free (4:57.73).
It was all about the seniors in the 50 free on Saturday with senior Taye Patterson stealing the show in a winning time of 23.72 and classmate Katie Gates capturing the third spot in a time of 24.26. Patterson claimed victory in the 100 back as well in a time of 56.68. Junior Lauren Cox touched in third in a time of 58.90 and senior Sarah Menefee finished fourth (59.05).
Freshman Lauren Lavigna tallied top honors in the 200 back in a time of 2:04.20, ahead of Menefee (2:06.58) and Cox (2:06.99), who finished third and fourth, respectively.
Fellow newcomer Melissa Jamerson continued her strong efforts from the first half of the season with a runner-up finish in the 200 fly, which she swam in a time of 2:03.62.
The Tigers also enjoyed some success in Saturday's breaststroke events. Senior Jill Bastien took second in the 100 breast in a time of 1:05.49 with junior Erin Yeager capturing the runner-up spot in the 200 portion of the event (2:19.65).
Dominant in the diving well on Saturday was junior Kendra Melnychuk. The Canadian sensation dove to a win in the 1-meter diving competition with a score of 282.15 and came right back for a second victory on the 3-meter board (318.15). Freshman Jenny Franzone rounded out the top-three in 3-meter diving with her score of 238.60.
The Tigers ended the day on a high note in the 200 free relay. Cox, Patterson, Szostak and Gordon combined for the win in a time of 1:34.69. Seniors Gates and Arica Jacinto teamed up with juniors Allie Bennett and Carly Sullivan to take third in a time of 1:37.11.
The team returns to action Saturday, Jan. 19, when they travel to Ames, Iowa, to take on the host Cyclones at 12 p.m.
