Huskers Make Comeback to Finish Third at Big 12 Championships

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>College Station, Texas? As the conclusion to one of the most successful regular seasons in program history, the Nebraska swimming and diving accomplished its No. 1 goal since the beginning of the season by moving up in the conference, and capturing a third-place finish at the 2005 Big 12 Championships.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Nebraska trailed the Kansas Jayhawks by 34 points for the third spot in the team standings at the end of day three, but used inspirational performances to cap off an incredible comeback on the final day of competition.     

 

“What these girls did today blew me away,” said head coach Pablo Morales.  “It was simply amazing.  I can’t express it in words.”

 

Nebraska rode its strength in the distance races with a second-place finish by Lauren Bailey in the 1,650-yard freestyle, and used first-place finishes by junior Rachel Schlatter and sophomore Bailey Ingles in consolation finals to clinch the third spot in the team standings over Kansas by a final score of 461-454.  The third place showing is the highest team finish since 2001, and the 461 total points outscores last year’s total by 41.

 

“To accomplish the team goal is great for this program,” said Morales.  “The girls rose to the top level to make this climb, and how they did it in coming from behind was most special.”

 

The Huskers racked up a total of 50 points in the 1,650-yard freestyle on Saturday night, which proved to be the largest contribution on the scoreboard.  

 

Bailey’s second place finish was her second runner-up finish of the meet as her time of 16:29.91 was a career best mark, and also moved her to No. 2 on Nebraska’s All-time list.  Sophomore Kate Wheeler and junior Mackenzie Clark finished fifth and seventh in career best times of 16:40.18 and 16:52.03.  Sophomore Casey Schnack added to the distance success with a 10th place finish in 17:00.70.  

 

“The milers have always been our strength,” said Morales.  “It is one thing to have an advantage, but it is another thing to utilize that advantage.  We knew that we couldn’t relax.  We had to perform to the fullest and they did that.”

 

Following the 1,650-yard freestyle, Schlatter won the consolation final in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:20.37) to close the gap on Kansas.  Schlatter was followed by two career best performances from freshman Adrienne Goodman (10th, 2:21.11) and junior Lana Baker (14th, 2:23.93).

 

Nebraska native Bailey Ingles and lone senior Diana Torres then delivered what proved to be the deciding factor as the former Millard West graduate took the 200-yard butterfly consolation final in 2:02.66, and Torres finished fourth in a career best 2:04.19 to cap a memorable collegiate career.

 

The diving squad also delivered another impressive round of performances which gave the Huskers quality points in a tight team race.  Junior Amie Buoy proved to be among the top divers in the Big 12 by adding another top three performance with a third-place finish on the platform with a career high score of 357.25.  Junior Becky Johnson had her best finish of the meet and gave Nebraska quality points by finishing fifth with a career high score of 334.95.

 

Sophomore Emilee Crawford started the night off for NU by swimming the best 200-yard backstroke of her career, placing 13th in a career best 2:03.95.

 

Crawford’s performance was followed by an impressive showing from the Nebraska 100-yard freestylers where freshman Lynn Siemert (51.81) and Michelle Criss (51.94) placed 10th and 11th, both breaking career best times previously set in the preliminary event.  Sophomore Katie Bowden was 14th in 52.51 and junior Alex King finished 23rd in 53.10.

 

Pablo Morales

On Kansas:

 

Kansas came out with fire power on day two.  We did our best but we stumbled.  We didn’t give up.  We had girls stand up and give us strength and came together.In reality it didn’t look like we had a chance to come back.  In the morning preliminaries <?xml:namespace prefix="u1"?>Kansas looked good, but we stepped up in the final session.  Everyone was tired but we kept moving up.  Kansas didn’t take advantage with all the girls they had in the finals.

 

On individuals stepping up:

Emilee (Crawford) battled and stepped up big when we needed.  Great surprises come unexpectingly, and her start got us going.  Then the divers carried us and led to some great races.  Rachel Schlatter’s race was inspirational.  Also, Adrienne Goodman, a freshman, has come so far this season.  The girls just went after it.

 

On the 1,650-yard freestyle:

The milers have always been our strength.  It is one thing to have an advantage, but it is another thing to utilize that advantage.  We knew that we couldn’t relax.  We had to perform to the fullest and they did that.

 

On Kate Wheeler:

Kate Wheeler worked so hard the past year and she made it a mission for this season.  Then, she struggled at this meet, but kept a great attitude and had a great mile.

 

On the 200-yard butterfly:

The 200-yard butterfly sealed it.  Bailey (Ingles) and Diana (Torres) swam with all their hearts for the team.  It gave us the advantage going into the relay so that we just had to have safe starts and not get disqualified.

 

On the comeback:

It’s so amazing.  To be down 34 points and then add the amount of swims that Kansas had in the finals.  The girls had something inside.  They showed pride, strength and spirit.  I couldn’t be happier for the team.

 

On Diana Torres

For her to go out with the team while we earned respect from the Big 12 is a fitting conclusion to her career.  I think her personal journey symbolized our team journey.  She has had a road of ups and downs, but she came out her senior year and had a great conference meet.  It was another great performance that helped the team get over the top.  She struggled in the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard backstroke.  She slipped off the wall in the backstroke but came back and had a great 100-yard butterfly, and then a career best in the 100-yard backstroke.  Her time of 2:03 this morning was a huge drop.  It put us in position to make a difference.

She swims with all her heart.  She always pays the price that last 50 yards of the 200-yard butterfly.  You could just see the guts and determination in what is a very tough race.  It was very inspirational.

 

Bailey Ingles

I was watching the other girls closely.  It was just something I did for the team to step up and win.  I was determined to win.  I had all the support from my teammates and it made it that much easier.

 

Emilee Crawford

I knew that the momentum could make or break the team.  I was never worried.  I could see the team beside the pool cheering and it helped me get through the race.  It was really important to get us going from the beginning and get the job done.  I knew it could affect the energy of the team.

 

Kate Wheeler

Heading into day four on paper we were supposed to lose.  It was going to be almost impossible to come back.  We never doubted it for a second.

 

Final Team Scores

1. Texas-965

2. Texas A&M-783

3. Nebraska-461

4. Kansas-454

5. Missouri-377

6. Iowa State-337

 

Saturday Finals Results

(Nebraska finishes)

 

200-yard Backstroke

Consolation Finals

13. Emilee Crawford, Nebraska, 2:03.35 (Career Best)

 

1,650-yard Freestyle

Finals

2. Lauren Bailey, Nebraska, 16:29.91 (Career Best)

5. Kate Wheeler, Nebraska, 16:40.18 (Career Best)

7. Mackenzie Clark, Nebraska, 16:52.03 (Career Best)

11. Casey Schnack, Nebraska, 17:00.70

 

200-yard Breaststroke

Consolation Finals

9. Rachel Schlatter, Nebraska, 2:20.37

10. Adrienne Goodman, Nebraska, 2:21.11 (Career Best)

14. Lana Baker, Nebraska, 2:23.93 (Career Best)

 

200-yard Butterfly

Consolation Finals

9. Bailey Ingles, Nebraska, 2:02.66 (Career Best)

13. Diana Torres, Nebraska, 2:04.19 (Career Best)

 

Bonus Finals

23. Betsy Grover, Nebraska, 2:10.38

24. Haley Koss, Nebraska, 2:11.26

 

Relay

6. Nebraska, 3:27.29

 

Platform Diving

Finals

3. Amie Buoy, Nebraska, 333.80 (Career Best)

5. Becky Johnson, Nebraska, 321.35