Feb. 14, 2007

COLLEGE STATION, Texas. -- Texas swept the men's and women's 200-yard medley relays in the opening races, while Texas men and Texas A&M women claimed top honors in the 800-yard freestyle relays on day one of the 2007 Big 12 Swimming & Diving Championships at the Texas A&M Student Rec Center Natatorium.

The Longhorn men are in fi rst place after the fi rst day with 80 points. Trailing them are Texas A&M and Missouri tied for second with 66. For the women, Texas and Texas A&M are tied (74), Missouri takes second (62), Kansas in third (60), Nebraska fourth (56) and Iowa State in fi fth (54).

Hill Taylor, Rick Berens, Tyler O'Halloran and Garrett Weber Gale (Texas) earned fi rst place honors for their 200 yard medley (1:26.47), while Connie Brown, Katie Robinson, Elizabeth Tinnon and Hee-Jin Chang (Texas) won the event (1:38.36) for the women. Both relays recorded NCAA automatic qualifi ying times.

The A&M women made league history today in the 800 freestyle relay with their 7:05.89 NCAA automatic qualifying time, which also served as a meet record. The team consisted of Kristen Heiss, Erin Mahoney, Codie Hansen and Christine Marshall. On the men's side in the same event, Texas took fi rst with their NCAA automatic time of 6:18.43. On the Longhorns men's relay was Dave Walter, Michael Klueh, Rick Berens and Matt McGinnis.

The championships resume Thursday at 10 a.m. with preliminary action , while the fi nals are slated for 6 p.m. For complete results visit the Big 12 web site at big12sports.com.

TEAM STANDINGS

Men 1. Texas 80 2. Missouri 66 3. Texas A&M 66

Women 1. Texas 74 1. Texas A&M 74 3. Missouri 62 3. Kansas 60 5. Nebraska 56 6. Iowa State 54

Attendance: 421

DAY ONE CHAMPIONS $ - NCAA Championships Automatic-Qualifying Time # - NCAA Championships Consideration Time * - Big 12 Championships Meet Record

Men 200-Yard Medley Relay: Texas - 1:26.47$ (Hill Taylor, Tyler O'Halloran, Rick Berens, Garrett Weber Gale) 800-Yard Freestyle Relay: Texas - 6:18.43$ (Dave Walters, Michael Klueh, Rick Berens, Matt McGinnis)

Women 200-Yard Medley Relay: Texas - 1:38.36$ (Connie Brown, Elizabeth Tinnon, Katie Robinson, Hee-Jin Chang) 800-Yard Freestyle Relay: Texas A&M - 7:05.89$* (Kristen Heiss , Erin Mahoney, Codie Hansen, Christine Marshall)