The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
2005-06 Men's Swimming and Diving year in review
06.19.2006 | Men's Swimming and Diving
Texas men's swimming and diving head coach Eddie Reese continued to lead Texas to the pinnacle of the collegiate swimming world in 2006. In Reese's 29th season at the Longhorns' helm, he led UT to a fourth-place finish at the 2006 NCAA Swimming and Diving National Championships and a 27th consecutive conference title. UT began the year by winning the team title at the Big 12 Relays (Oct. 14) in Columbia, Mo. and finished second at the prestigious Texas Invitational (Dec. 1-3), a meet that featured six of the top 10 finishers at this year's NCAA Championships. Texas finished with a 5-3 dual record, including wins over fifth-ranked Florida, sixth-ranked USC, No. 10 Georgia and in-state rivals Texas A&M and SMU. Texas also went toe-to-toe with eventual National Champion Auburn, falling 122-121 in a dual meet on January 13 in Austin. At the NCAA Championships, junior Garrett Weber-Gale captured the individual title in the 100-yard freestyle and 13 UT swimmers earned 31 All-America and seven Honorable Mention All-America awards. The year marked the last collegiate go-around for seniors Wade Kelley, Matt Molnar, Cliff Robbins and Christian Schurr. During their time at Texas, the four seniors claimed four Big 12 Championship titles and placed seventh or higher (4th in 2006, 7th in 2005, 3rd in 2004 and 2nd in 2003) in four of their NCAA Championship appearances.
Longhorns at the NCAA Championships
The University of Texas finished fourth at the 2006 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championship, held at the Georgia Tech Aquatics Center in Atlanta, Ga. The Longhorns finished with 307 points and earned 31 All-American and seven Honorable Mention All-American awards. Junior Garrett Weber-Gale won the NCAA title in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 42.11, the fastest time in Texas history and the fourth-fastest time in NCAA history. It was Weber-Gale's second career national title and UT's first individual title since 2004, when Ian Crocker, Brendan Hansen, Rainer Kendrick and Aaron Peirsol all took home individual titles. Weber-Gale finished the meet earning six All-America honors and one Honorable Mention All-America certificate. Auburn won its fourth NCAA Championship in a row with 480.5 points, followed by Arizona with 440.5 points. Stanford was third with 362.5 points and Florida rounded out the top five in fifth place (268.5 points). Texas freshman Michael Klueh was impressive in his first NCAA appearance to earn three All-American honors and one Honorable Mention All-America accolade. He took fourth place in the 1,650-yard freestyle (14:48.24) and fifth place in the 500-yard freestyle with a new school record time of 4:14.10. Senior Christian Schurr qualified for the consolation finals of the 200-yard breaststroke and placed 12th overall with a time of 1:57.75 to earn Honorable Mention All-America accolades. Schurr also earned Honorable Mention All-America honors in the 100-yard breaststroke with a 14th-place finish (54.15). On the opening day, the 200-yard freestyle relay of Weber-Gale, junior Tyler O'Halloran and sophomores Jeremy Harris and Matthew Lowe set a new UT school record with their preliminary time of 1:17.50. In the finals, the same team of Weber-Gale, O'Halloran, Harris and Lowe finished fifth with a time of 1:17.90 to earn All-America honors. The 400-yard medley relay placed fifth in the finals to earn All-American honors with a season best time of 3:08.42. Junior Thomas Sacco opened with a backstroke split of 47.03, followed by Lowe with a breaststroke split of 52.85, sophomore Daniel Rohleder was third at butterfly in a time of 46.70 and Weber-Gale closed with a time of 41.84. The 200-yard medley relay started the second night off for the Longhorns with a fourth-place finish in a season-best time of 1:25.79. Head coach Eddie Reese changed the line-up for the finals after recording a then season-best time of 1:26.22 in the preliminaries. In the finals, Sacco swam the opening backstroke leg in a time of 22-flat followed by O'Halloran who jumped up to the breaststroke leg and finished the second split in a time of 23.86. Rohleder would swim the butterfly leg in 20.88 and Weber-Gale would swim the anchor freestyle leg in a time 19.05. In the prelims, senior Matt Molnar, seeing his first action of the meet, swam the breaststroke leg with a time of 24.04. Sacco, O'Halloran, Rohleder, Weber-Gale and Molnar all earned All-America honors for their part in the relay. Sophomore Matthew McGinnis, who set a new Georgia Tech pool record in the 200-yard freestyle preliminaries with a season best time of 1:33.54, finished fourth in the finals with a time of 1:33.93. McGinnis' prelim time was also the second fastest ever by a Longhorn. The Longhorns then put two in the finals of the 100-yard breaststroke. O'Halloran finished fourth overall with a time of 52.95 and Lowe finished sixth with a time of 53.18, both to earned All-America honors. In the 100-yard backstroke consolation finals UT placed three swimmers, Weber-Gale (ninth, 47.33), Sacco (11th, 47.72) and Rohleder (15th, 48.07). In the 3-meter diving competition, junior Bailey Gao finished ninth in the preliminary round of six dives to earn his first career Honorable Mention All-America honor with a score of 328.85 points. Texas took third in the 800-yard freestyle relay with a time of 6:19.61, the third best time ever for UT. Klueh swam lead off with a time of 1:35.08 followed by sophomore Caleb McDermott with a second-leg split of 1:35.61. Freshman Ryan Verlatti would take the third split in a time of 1:35.21 and pass Stanford's Tobias Oriwol in the process to put the Longhorns in fourth. McGinnis would seal the deal and third place for Texas by passing Florida's Bradley Ally with the fastest anchor leg of the event (1:33.71). Texas qualified for the finals of the 400-yard freestyle relay with a time of 2:53.49. McGinnis swam the lead leg with a time of 43.27, followed by freshman Ryan Verlatti who hit the water second for Texas with a split of 43.79. In the third leg, O'Halloran put Texas in the lead by passing Stanford in the last 25 yards and finishing with a time of 43.73. Weber-Gale sealed the deal with a final leg of 42.70. In the finals, Texas switched their line up for the relay which resulted in a third-place finish (2:51.56). McGinnis opened the race with a lead split of 43.02, followed by a second split of 43.19 by McDermott and a third split of 43.27 by sophomore Harris. Weber-Gale again anchored the relay (42.08) to lead Texas to a third-place finish. McGinnis, Verlatti, O'Halloran, McDermott, Harris and Weber-Gale all earned All-America honors for their part in the relay's finish.
2006 Big 12 Championships
UT captured its 10th straight Big 12 Swimming and Diving title at the league meet held Feb. 22-25 in Columbia, Mo. at the Mizzou Aquatics Center. This marked the 27th consecutive conference title for the Horns dating back to head coach Eddie Reese's second year at UT in 1980, when the school was a member of the Southwest Conference. At the conclusion of the championship, Reese was named the Outstanding Coach of the Meet by the league coaches. The Longhorns finished with 1,036.5 points, while Texas A&M took second place with 838 points and host Missouri was third with 719.5 points. Also receiving special recognition was freshman Michael Klueh, who was named Outstanding Newcomer of the Meet, and junior Garrett Weber-Gale, who was named Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet. Klueh won three events (500-yard freestyle, 400-yard individual medley and 1,650-yard freestyle) while setting Big 12 meet records in the 200-yard freestyle in the opening leg of the men's 800-yard freestyle relay (1:34.67), the 400-yard IM (3:48.49) and the 1,650-yard freestyle (14.51.32). Weber-Gale won the 50-yard freestyle (19.78), was a member of the first-place 400-yard medley relay (3:12.63), took first place in the 100-yard backstroke (47.70), helped the 200-yard freestyle relay to a win (1:18.41) and won the 100-yard freestyle (43.01). Overall, the UT men won a total of 16 out of 21 events. Also winning individual events was senior Christian Schurr (200-yard breaststroke, 1:57.17), junior David Donaldson (100-yard butterfly, 47.82 and 200-yard butterfly, 1:46.33), sophomore Caleb McDermott (200-yard individual medley, 1:47.62 and 200-yard backstroke, 1:43.14), sophomore Matthew McGinnis (200-Yard freestyle, 1:34.82), sophomore Matt Lowe (100-Yard breaststroke, 53.78).
2006 Zone D Diving Results
Junior diver Bailey Gao continued a strong tradition of The University of Texas success at the Zone D diving competition in 2006. Bailey qualified for the national championships by winning the 1-meter diving competition at the Zone D meet in Columbia, Mo., at the Mizzou Aquatics Center. Bailey posted a score of 661.45 in the 1-meter competition and finished third in the 3-meter competition (685.50).
Two-time Big 12 Conference Swimmer of the Month
Freshman Michael Klueh was named the Big 12 Conference Swimmer of the Month in both October and January. In his first two collegiate meets in October, Klueh put together a string of nine consecutive wins while qualifying under the B Standard in both the 1,650-yard freestyle (15:25.32) and 800 freestyle (6:36.05). At the Big 12 Relays (Oct. 14), Klueh helped the Longhorns to a first-place finish and earned top honors in the 3x100 relay (2:30.22), 3x500 relay (13:37.15), 4x100 free relay (3:01.97), 4x100 medley (3:23.14), 2x400 relay (6:46.63) and 200x400x200 IM (7:56.20). Klueh placed first in six events and qualified twice under the NCAA B Standard in January. The freshman qualified in both the 500-yard freestyle (4:27.66) and 200-yard freestyle (1:37.24). In two outings, Texas defeated Texas A&M in the State Farm Lone Star Showdown (Feb. 3), 165-129, in College Station and then went to Dallas and defeated SMU 153.5-123.5 (Feb. 4).
Big 12 Conference Diver of the Month
University of Texas junior Bailey Gao was named Men's Diver of the Month for November. It marked Gao's first time earning the honor. Gao was first in both the 1- and 3-meter diving competitions in a dual meet against No. 6 USC (Nov. 11-12). On the 1-meter springboard, he posted 316.75 points. He also earned scored 361.90 on the 3-meter.
Reese Adds to Trophy Case
Texas head coach Eddie Reese four separate coaching awards in 2005-06. Reese was named the American Swimming Coaching Association (ASCA) Coach of the Year for the second straight year as well as USA Swimming's Coach of the Year. The UT skipper had seven athletes make the 2005 World Championships team, accounting for five individual gold medals and one individual silver medal. It marked the second time Reese received the honor from ASCA, as he also claimed the award in 1991. Next, Reese was awarded the World Swimming Coaches Association's 2005 Terao Award, naming him the coach of the 2001-2004 quadrennium. The Terao Award is bestowed by the World Swimming Coaches Association (WSCA) quadrennially, following the Summer Olympic year, to the best international swimming coach of a four-year cycle, culminating in the Olympic year. Reese was bestowed the Terao based on the performances of three of his swimmers during the four-year span: world-record holders Ian Crocker, Brendan Hansen and Aaron Peirsol. Finally, Reese was named the 2006 Big 12 Male Swimming Coach of the Year after leading the Longhorns to the league title and a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships. The 2006 season marked Reese record his 27th consecutive top seven NCAA finish and 10th consecutive Big 12 title.
2006 National Champions
! -Texas School Record
Garrett Weber-Gale (Jr.)
100-yard Freestyle: Finals (1st - 42.11!)
2006 All-Americans
! -Texas School Record
Bailey Gao (Jr.)
3-meter (9th - 328.85) H.M. All-American
Jeremy Harris (So.)
200-yard Freestyle Relay (5th - 1:17.90) All-American
400-yard Freestyle Relay (3rd - 2:51.56) All-American
Michael Klueh (Fr.)
1,650-yard Freestyle (4th - 14:48.24) All-American
500-yard Freestyle (5th - 4:14.10!) All-American
200-yard Freestyle (11th - 1:35.39) H.M. All-American
800-yard Freestyle Relay (3rd - 6:19.61) All-American
Matthew Lowe (So.)
200-yard Breaststroke (4th - 1:55.06) All-American
200-yard Freestyle Relay (5th - 1:17.90) All-American
400-yard Medley Relay (5th - 3:08.42) All-American
100-yard Breaststroke (6th - 53.18) All-American
Caleb McDermott (So.)
800-yard Freestyle Relay (3rd - 6:19.61) All-American
400-yard Freestyle Relay (3rd - 2:51.56) All-American
Matt McGinnis (So.)
400-yard Freestyle Relay (3rd - 2:51.56) All-American
200-yard Freestyle: Finals (4th - 1:33.93) All-American
800-yard Freestyle Relay (3rd - 6:19.61) All-American
Matthew Molnar (Sr.)
200-yard Medley Relay (4th - 1:26.22) All-American
Tyler O'Halloran (Jr.)
400-yard Freestyle Relay (4th - 2:53.49) All-American
200-yard Freestyle Relay (5th - 1:17.90) All-American
200-yard Medley Relay (5th - 1:25.79) All-American
100-yard Breaststroke (4th - 52.95) All-American
Daniel Rohleder (So.)
400-yard Medley Relay (5th - 3:08.42) All-American
100-yard Backstroke (15th - 48.07) H.M. All-American
200-yard Medley Relay (5th - 1:25.79) All-American
Thomas Sacco (Jr.)
400-yard Medley Relay (5th - 3:08.42) All-American
200-yard Medley Relay (5th - 1:25.79) All-American
100-yard Backstroke (11th - 47.72) H.M. All-American
Christian Schurr (Sr.)
200-yard Breaststroke (12th - 1:57.75) H.M. All-American
100-yard Breaststroke (14th - 54.15) H.M. All-American
Ryan Verlatti (Fr.)
400-yard Freestyle Relay (4th - 2:53.49) All-American
800-yard Freestyle Relay (3rd - 6:19.61) All-American
Garrett Weber-Gale (Jr.)
100-yard Freestyle (1st - 42.11!) All-American
400-yard Freestyle Relay (3rd - 2:51.56) All-American
200-yard Freestyle Relay (5th - 1:17.90) All-American
50-yard Freestyle (7th - 19.44) All-American
400-yard Medley Relay (5th - 3:08.42) All-American
200-yard Medley Relay (5th - 1:25.79) All-American
100-yard Backstroke (9th - 47.33) H.M. All-American
2006 Big 12 Postseason Honors
Swimmer of the Year - Garrett Weber-Gale (Jr.)
Newcomer of the Year - Michael Klueh (Fr.)
Swimming Coach of the Year - Eddie Reese
2006 Big 12 Championship Honors
Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet - Garrett Weber-Gale (Jr.)
Outstanding Newcomer of the Meet - Michael Klueh (Fr.)
Swim Coach of the Meet - Eddie Reese
2006 Big 12 Champions
* - Big 12 Championships Meet Record
David Donaldson (Jr.)
100-Yard Butterfly: (47.82)
200-Yard Butterfly (1:46.33)
Jeremy Harris (So.)
200-Yard Freestyle Relay (1:18.41)
200-Yard Medley Relay (1:26.95)
Michael Klueh (Fr.)
500-Yard Freestyle (4:15.28*)
400-Yard IM: (3:48.49)
1,650-Yard Freestyle (14:51.32*)
Matthew Lowe (So.)
100-Yard Breaststroke: (53.78)
Tyler O'Halloran (Jr.)
200-Yard Freestyle Relay (1:18.41)
Caleb McDermott (So.)
200-Yard IM (1:47.62)
200-Yard Backstroke (1:43.14)
Matthew McGinnis (So.)
200-Yard Freestyle: (1:34.82)
200-Yard Freestyle Relay (1:18.41)
Matt Molnar (Sr.)
200-Yard Medley Relay (1:26.95)
Dan Rohleder (So.)
400-Yard Medley Relay (3:12.63)
200-Yard Medley Relay (1:26.95)
Thomas Sacco (Jr.)
400-Yard Medley Relay (3:12.63)
200-Yard Medley Relay (1:26.95)
Christian Schurr (Sr.)
200-Yard Breaststroke (1:57.17)
400-Yard Medley Relay (3:12.63)
Garrett Weber-Gale (Jr.)
50-Yard Freestyle (20.01)
100-Yard Freestyle (43.01)
100-Yard Backstroke: (47.70)
200-Yard Freestyle Relay (1:18.41)
400-Yard Medley Relay (3:12.63)
