Alexander, Kovac Earn Silver and Bronze in 200 IM at SECs

Wednesday, February 19

Auburn, Ala.

9:30 a.m. / 5:30 p.m.

University of Missouri

SEC Championships

Alexander, Kovac Earn Silver and Bronze in 200 IM at SECs

2/19/2020 8:37:00 PM | Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving

AUBURN, Ala. - Senior Nick Alexander (St. Louis, Mo.) repeated as the 200 IM runner-up and set a school record during day two action at the 2020 Southeastern Conference Swimming and Diving Championships Wednesday in Auburn, Ala.

Alexander, who also placed second in the event last season, finished just ahead of sophomore Danny Kovac (Fort Collins, Colo.), who took third for a spot on the podium.

Both the men and women sit eighth in the team standings, with 276 and 212 points, respectively.

TOP TIGERS

After a personal-best time in prelims, Alexander broke Kovac's school mark with a 1:42.49 in finals to place second for the second year in a row. The time also stands as the fourth-fastest in the nation this season.

Kovac earned a medal of his own as he touched in 1:43.24 for third in the 200 IM. The sophomore took fifth in the event at the 2019 SEC Championships.

The Mizzou women claimed their second relay podium finish in as many days as the 200 free relay placed third to start off the night. Sophomore Megan Keil (Derby, Kan.), senior Haley Hynes (Lee's Summit, Mo.), freshman Amy Feddersen (Ames, Iowa) and junior Sarah Thompson (Collierville, Tenn.) went 1:27.70, which stands as the third-fastest time in Tiger history.

In the 50 free, Thompson tallied Mizzou's fourth top five finish of the day with a fifth-place showing after a finals time of 22.80, just off her prelims swim of 22.77. Additionally, Keil lowered her 50 free personal-best three times on Wednesday. She first went 22.16 in preliminary action before a 22.09 as the leadoff leg of the 200 free relay. Keil then dropped a 22.07 in the consolation final to place 10th overall and most likely secure an individual NCAA invite.

QUOTABLES
Mizzou Head Coach Andrew Grevers
"I'm really pleased with the second half of this morning straight through the entire evening tonight. Our ZouStyle was in full effect, the team cheering was phenomenal, and the competitors responded extremely well.

That women's relay was awesome. Relay takeovers weren't as sharp as they can be but they put together the best relay they could and I was really pleased they got their hands on the wall for third. The men's relay did exactly what they needed to do, we needed to get the NCAA B cut. We got it and now have all five relays for the men qualified for NCAAs.

Those 200 IMs were a blast to watch. Amanda (Smith) is actually who kickstarted us as a team, and she moved up in points tonight. The men's 200 IM all showed up and we got a new team record with Nick (Alexander)."

UP NEXT

Day three action at the 2020 SEC Championships begins Wednesday, Feb. 19 with preliminary action at 9:30 a.m. CT.

DAY TWO RESULTS

Women's 200 Free Relay
3. Megan Keil, Haley Hynes, Amy Feddersen, Sarah Thompson (1:27.70)

Men's 200 Free Relay
8. Danny Kovac, Daniel Hein, Kyle Leach, Jack Dahlgren (1:17.66)

Women's 500 Free
30. Allison Bloebaum (4:49.64)
38. Ana Pozder (4:53.15)

Men's 500 Free
22. Jack Dubois (4:19.48 finals, 4:19.50 prelims)
45. Giovanni Gutierrez Lozano (4:32.95)
47. Joseph Gutierrez (4:35.59)

Women's 200 IM
15. Amanda Smith (1:59.08 finals, 1:58.43 prelims)
36. Danielle Hepler (2:01.37)
42. CJ Kovac (2:02.34)
52. Emily Snyder (2:04.49)
60. Kayla Jones (2:07.96)

Men's 200 IM
2. Nick Alexander (1:42.49 finals, 1:42.81 prelims)
3. Danny Kovac (1:43.24 finals, 1:43.58 prelims)
14. Ben Patton (1:45.66 finals, 1:45.65 prelims)
26. Will Goodwin (1:46.29)

Women's 50 Free
5. Sarah Thompson (22.80 finals, 22.77 prelims)
10. Megan Keil (22.07 finals, 22.16 prelims)
17. Haley Hynes (22.41 finals, 22.40 prelims)
27. Amy Feddersen (22.64)
39. Sammie Jo Porter (22.92)
39. Alex Moderski (22.92)
62. Molly Winer (23.88)