The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Big 12 Championships
Wilcox becomes four-time champion as Men's Swimming & Diving dominates
02.23.2012 | Men's Swimming and Diving
Feb. 23, 2012
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Highlighted by Jackson Wilcox becoming a four-time champion in the 500 freestyle, the Texas Men's Swimming & Diving team took over first place during the second day of the Big 12 Championships in Columbia, Mo.
Through two days the Longhorns have claimed first place in all seven events to lead the meet with 371.5 points, over 100 more than second place Texas A&M.
"This morning we were sluggish but we got better tonight," said head coach Eddie Reese. "We are moving in the right direction but we need to be even better tomorrow. We have a lot of people who still need to make NCAA cuts and I feel like that will happen in the next couple of days."
Senior Jackson Wilcox became just the sixth Texas athlete to be crowned a four-time champion in an event as he clocked a 4:19.46 to win the 500 freestyle. Wilcox joined Scott Goldblatt (500 free), Ian Crocker (100 fly), Nate Dusing (200 IM) and Eric Sehn (1-meter and 3-meter diving) as Texas' four-time Big 12 champions in an event.
"I was just trying to race the field and finish strong," said Wilcox. "I wasn't real happy with the time but I am getting prepared for the NCAA's. I have been able to be consistent in the event over the last four years and have wanted to swim well at this meet.
"It is hard to win anything four years in a row whether in a home dual meet or especially in the conference meet," said Reese. "You look at the guys we have on our team and that is a great accomplishment."
Also in the 500 free, Michael McBroom was second (4:20.79), Jake Ritter was third (4:21.89), Kyle McNeilis was fifth (4:22.48) and Clay Youngquist was seventh (4:23.75).
"Being in the finals heat with my teammates elevates the competition and makes me swim well," said Wilcox. "Those guys all train really hard and are great swimmers."
Senior Jimmy Feigen was victorious in the 50 freestyle for the third consecutive season as he touchded the wall in 19.26. Dax Hill tied for fourth with a 20.05 and Charlie Moore was sixth with a 20.20.
Texas swept the first four positions in the 200 IM. Nick D'Innocenzo picked up his third career Big 12 championship and first in the event after his time of 1:45.40. He was followed by the two-time defending champ Austin Surhoff in second (1:45.58), Neil Caskey in third (1:46.79) and Conor Swanson in fourth (1:46.98).
The Texas 200-yard freestyle relay cruised to a first place finish in 1:18.23. Jimmy Feigen anchored the relay with an 18:98 split to finish what Charlie Moore, Austin Surhoff and Dax Hill had started.
Friday will feature seven events with prelims at 10 a.m. and the finals at 5 p.m. The events scheduled to take place include the 400 medley relay, 400 IM, 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 backstroke and 3-meter diving.
