Feb. 15, 2007

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Texas men (362) maintain the lead of the 2007 Big 12 Swimming & Diving Championships, while the Texas A&M women (316) slid into the lead on day two.

In the men's 500 freestyle race, Michael Klueh of Texas claimed fi rst with an NCAA automatic qualifying time of 4:15.57. Trailing him was teammate Matt McGinnis (4:20.99) in second place. Fellow Longhorn Caleb McDermott claimed fi rst place honors in the 200 individual medley (1:47.05), while Garrett Weber Gale (Texas) took the honor for the 50 freestyle race (19.46).

Rounding off the night of victory for the Longhorns was Thomas Sacco, Matthew Lowe, Daniel Rohleder and Garrett Weber Gale in the 400 medley (3:10.92). The time earned the relay team an automatic slot in the NCAA's. In diving action, 2005 and 2006 Big 12 Championships Diver of the Meet Eric Sehn (Texas A&M) led the way claiming fi rst with 374.20 for the one-meter. Trailing Sehn is Texas' Mike Wong with 328.90 points.

On the women's side, Texas A&M claimed three individual titles and one relay title to help them take the fi rst place slot. In the 500 yard freestyle, Kristen Heiss (A&M) recorded an automatic qualifying time of 4:44.79. Christine Marshall of A&M broke the meet record with her 1:58.07 swim in the 200 individual medley. Her time also automatically qualifi ed her for the NCAA's. Teammate Triin Aljand also recorded an NCAA qualifying time in the 50 freestyle with a 22.58 time. Mary Yarrison (Texas) claimed the three-meter diving competition with a score of 322. In second and third were teammates Jessica Livingston (277.15) and Kara Jayne Salamone (290).

Julia Wilkinson, Alia Atkinson, Rebecca Sturdy and Christine Marshall (A&M) boasted a meet record with their 400 Medley automatic qualifying time of 3:35.12.

The championships resume Friday 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: 362
2. Texas A&M: 277
3. Missouri: 246

Women
1. Texas A&M: 316
2. Texas: 288
3. Kansas: 180
4. Iowa State: 135
5. Missouri: 131
6. Nebraska: 114

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

Men
One-meter Diving: Eric Sehn, Jr., Texas A&M - 374.20
500-Yard Freestyle: Michael Klueh, So., Texas - 4:15.57$
200-Yard IM: Caleb McDermott, Jr., Texas - 1:47.05#
50-Yard Freestyle: Garrett Weber-Gale, Sr., Texas - 19.46$
400-Yard Medley Relay: Texas - 3:14.69#
(Thomas Sacco, Matthew Lowe, Dan Rohleder, Garrett Weber-Gale)

Women
Three-meter Diving: Mary Yarrison, Jr., Texas - 336.90
500-Yard Freestyle: Kristen Heiss, So., Texas A&M - 4:44.79$
200-Yard IM: Christine Marshall, So., Texas A&M - 1:58.07*$
50-Yard Freestyle: Triin Aljand, So., Texas A&M - 22.58$
400-Yard Medley Relay: Texas A&M - 3:36.12*$
(Julia Wilkinson, Alia Atkinson, Rebecca Sturdy, Christine Marshall)