Huskers Drop Regular-Season Finale, Finish 8-1

Lincoln, Neb. - Junior Amie Buoy swept the diving competitions, and sophomore Kate Wheeler added victories in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle, but it was not enough as Missouri edged the Huskers 153-147 on Senior Day at the Devaney Center Pool.

In a much anticipated meet, Nebraska was attempting to become the first Husker swimming and diving team in history to finish 9-0.  The 8-1 mark set this year still ranks highly at Nebraska, as only four other teams in history have finished with one loss or less.

Nebraska trailed by as much as 114-92, before Buoy led the Huskers back with victories in the one- and three-meter dive.

"Our divers carried us a little bit today," said NU Coach Pablo Morales.  "I am so proud of our divers.  They knew that we were in it and knew they had to do something big."

Buoy finished with a score of 269.24 on the one-meter, and scored 272.84 points on the three-meter.  Junior Becky Johnson finished second in both diving events. 

Following Buoy's victories to give Nebraska a slim lead with two events to go, Missouri's Amy Charley swam a time of 2:07.15 to take first in the 200-yard IM, and the Missouri 'B' relay team took the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:28.18) to cap the win.

Nebraska swam strong in the distance events, as sophomore Lauren Bailey won the 1,000-yard freestyle (10:04.92) to add to Wheeler's victories in the 200- (1:51.86) and 500-yard freestyle (5:01.29).

Junior Rachel Schlatter added depth with a win in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:05.09) and freshman Betsy Grover won the 100-yard butterfly in 56.74, narrowly defeating Missouri's Liz Schoberg by just over one-tenth of a second.

"Rachel stepped up in the 100-yard breastroke," Morales said.  "On paper we weren't maybe expected to win that race but when it came time I told her to have faith in herself and she did it.  Betsy found a way to gather herself after Missouri took the 200-fly and she swam a courageous 100-fly to touch out a Missouri butterflier.  Both of those were huge."

The center of attention on the day maybe have been lone senior Diana Torres, who swam in the final home meet of her career.  Morales, along with assistant coach Doug Humphrey and diving coach Jeff DiNicola honored Torres before the meet.

"Before the meet Pablo told me how I have come a long ways in these four years," Torrres said.  "That made me realize that I am lucky to be a part of this team.  I made a decision to come from Colombia to Nebraska, and I am happy that I am here."

Torres finished fourth in both the 100- and 200-yard butterfly races in her last home meet at Nebraska.

Nebraska will now begin preparations for the 2005 Big 12 Championships, held in College Station, Texas Feb. 23-26.

"I am expecting our prepartions to be great the next two weeks," Morales said.  "We will try to fine tune and be ready to come out and have a great meet in College Station."