Feb. 17, 2007

COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- The Texas men's squad claimed its 11th consecutive Big 12 Conference championship, while the Texas A&M women earned its first league crown, breaking the Texas women's eight-time streak on Saturday at the Student Rec Center Natatorium.

The Longhorn men's conference title streak dates back to 1980, head coach Eddie Reese's second year, when Texas was a member of the Southwest Conference. Texas men compiled 1,114 points over the four-day event, followed by Texas A&M (828) and Missouri (735), respectively.

On the women's side, Texas A&M (931) finished one point ahead of Texas (930), while Kansas (448.5), Missouri (419), Nebraska (350.5) and Iowa State (325) filled the remaining spots.

The Big 12 Conference honored the top performers of the championships based on a vote of the league's head coaches at the conclusion of the meet. The men's honorees include Swimmer of the Meet: Michael Klueh, Texas; Newcomer of the Meet: Rick Berens, Texas; Diver of the Meet: Eric Sehn, Texas A&M (2005-07); Swim Coach of the Meet: Eddie Reese (1997, 1999-2002, 04, 06-07); Dive Coach of the Meet: Kevin Wright, Texas A&M (1997-99, 2005-07).

In the women's field the following received recognition, Swimmer of the Meet: Christine Marshall, Texas A&M; Newcomer of the Meet: Alia Atkinson, Texas A&M; Divers of the Meet - Mary Yarrison, Texas; Swim Coach of the Meet: Steve Bultman, Texas A&M (2002, 04-07); Dive Coach of the Meet: Matt Scoggin, Texas (1997-2000, 2003, 06, 07).

Sehn completed a sweep of the 2007 diving events when he claimed the platform Saturday with a score of 408.65. He also won the one and three-meter springboard. The Edmonton, Alberta, Canada native is undefeated at the Big 12 Championships at 9-0 in three seasons, holding the record for the Big 12.

Klueh beat his 2006 record in the 1,650 freestyle (14:51.32) with his new time of 14:42.69.

In relay action, Garrett Weber-Gale, Ryan Verlatti, Dave Walters and Matt McGinnis (2:53.76) recorded an automatic qualifying time in the 400 freestyle.

On the women's side, Julia Wilkinson, Codie Hansen, Triin Aljand and Rebecca Sturdy (Texas A&M) recorded a qualifying time of 3:16.05 in the 400 freestyle relay. Individually, Kristen Heiss (A&M) and Katie Robinson (Texas) set meet records for the 200 backstroke (1:55.95) and 200 butterfly (1:57.26). Both times were also automatic qualifying times.

Longhorn diver, Jessica Livingston won the platform with her 345.9 points.


FINAL TEAM STANDINGS

Men
1. Texas: 1,114
2. Texas A&M: 828
3. Missouri: 735

Women
1. Texas A&M: 931
2. Texas: 930
3. Kansas: 448.50
4. Missouri: 419
5. Nebraska: 350.50
6. Iowa State: 325


CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS HONORS

Men
Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet: Michael Klueh, So., Texas
Outstanding Diver of the Meet: Eric Sehn, Jr., Texas A&M
Outstanding Newcomer of the Meet: Rick Berens, Fr., Texas
Swim Coach of the Meet: Eddie Reese, Texas
Dive Coach of the Meet: Kevin Wright, Texas A&M

Women
Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet: Christine Marshall, So., Texas A&M
Outstanding Co-Diver of the Meet: Mary Yarrison, Jr., Texas
Outstanding Newcomer of the Meet: Alia Atkinson, Fr., Texas A&M
Swim Coach of the Meet: Steve Bultman, Texas A&M
Dive Coach of the Meet: Matt Scoggin, Texas

DAY FOUR CHAMPIONS

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

Men
Platform Diving: Eric Sehn, Jr., Texas A&M - 450.65
200-Yard Backstroke: Caleb McDermott, Jr., Texas - 1:44.04#
100-Yard Freestyle: Garrett Weber-Gale, Sr., Texas - 42.73$
1650-Yard Freestyle: Michael Klueh, So., Texas - 14:42.69*$
200-Yard Breaststroke: Alejandro Jacabo, Jr, Texas A&M -1:58.11#
200-Yard Butterfl y: Israel Duran Mata, Fr., Texas A&M - 1:44.42$
400-Yard Freestyle Relay: Texas - 2:53.76$
(Garrett Weber Gale, Ryan Verlatti, Dave Walters, Matt McGinnis)

Women
200-Yard Backstroke: Kristen Heiss, So., Texas A&M - 1:55.95$
100-Yard Freestyle: Triin Aljand, So., Texas - 49.15$
1650-Yard Freestyle: Lauren Bailey, Sr., Nebraska - 16:20.05$
200-Yard Breaststroke: Alia Atkinson, Fr., Texas A&M - 2:10.89$
200-Yard Butterfl y: Katie Robinson, Sr. Texas - 1:57.26*$
Platform Diving: Jessica Livingston, Jr., Texas - 345.90
400-Yard Freestyle Relay: Texas A&M - 3:16.05$
(Julia Wilkinson, Codie Hansen, Triin Aljand, Rebecca Sturdy)