Bailey and Wheeler Lead NU on Day Two

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Columbia, Mo. ? Juniors Lauren Bailey and Kate Wheeler conintued their successful seasons Thursday as the duo finished second and third, respectively, in the 500-yard freestyle on day two of the 2006 Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championships. In the team race, Nebraska sits in sixth place with 111.5 points.

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Bailey’s runner-up time of 4:46.96 lowered her career-best mark that was set at last year’s Big 12 Championships (4:47.08) and ranks as the second-best time in Nebraska history. Wheeler’s mark of 4:47.49 moved her into the No. 4 spot all-time. Bailey has now placed in the top three every year in the 500-freestyle at the conference meet, while it was Wheeler’s second top-five finish in the race after she placed eighth last year and fifth as a freshman.

 

Junior Casey Schnack also scored points in the event for NU, as she placed fourth in the consolation finals (12th overall) in 4:54.34.

 

“The whole 500-freestyle group got us off to a great start,” Head Coach Pablo Morales said. “It was very exciting to see Lauren and Kate battle just as they do every day. It was a high-pressure situation but they train at a high level and they were rewarded for their efforts.”

 

On the diving platform, senior Amie Buoy placed in the top eight for the fourth consecutive time in her career on the one-meter dive, as her score of 236.70 was good for eighth place.

 

Sophomore Lynn Siemert tied for 12th overall in the 50-yard freestyle in 23.87. Senior Kate Dulgar (24.30) and freshman Lynn Siemert (24.36) finished 19th and 20th overall after competing in the bonus finals, while junior Bailey Ingles (2:05.25) and freshman Christina Yemm (2:05.80) competed in the bonus finals of the 200-yard individual medley to place 18th and 19th.

 

“The storm is now brewing,” Assistant Coach Doug Humphrey said. “We had some great swims this morning and with great performances tonight things are looking good for the rest of the meet.”

 

Day three of the 2006 Big 12 Championships begins with preliminary heats Friday at 10 a.m. The Huskers will look to score major points in the 400-yard individual medley as Bailey holds the top time in the conference (4:22.27) heading into the meet.

 

Thursday Finals Results

(Nebraska finishes)

 

500-yard Freestyle

(1-8 Finalists, 9-16 Consolation Finalists, 17-24 Bonus Finalists)

 

Finals

2. Lauren Bailey, Nebraska, 4:46.96 (No. 2 NU All-Time)

3. Kate Wheeler, Nebraska, 4:47.49 (No. 4 NU All-Time)

 

Consolation Finals

12. Casey Schnack, Nebraska, 4:54.34, 4th

 

Bonus Finals

18. Mackenzie Clark, Nebraska, 4:59.22 (Season Best)

20. Esmie Holderman, Nebraska, 5:00.35 (Season Best)

 

200-yard IM

(1-8 Finalists, 9-16 Consolation Finalists, 17-24 Bonus Finalists)

 

Bonus Finals

18. Bailey Ingles, Nebraska, 2:05.25

19. Christina Yemm, Nebraska, 2:05.80 (Season Best)

 

50-yard Freestyle

(1-8 Finalists, 9-16 Consolation Finalists, 17-24 Bonus Finalists)

 

Consolation Finals

12. Lynn Siemert, Nebraska, 23.87

 

Bonus Finals

19. Kate Dulgar, Nebraska, 24.30

20. Jenna Stroud, Nebraska, 24.36

 

One-Meter Dive

(1-8 Finalists)

8. Amie Buoy, Nebraska, 236.70

 

400-yard Medley Relay

DQ. Nebraska, 3:51.62