The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Arizona/SMU
No. 7 Men's Swimming and Diving topples No. 1 Arizona, SMU
02.01.2013 | Men's Swimming and Diving
Feb. 1, 2013
AUSTIN, Texas - No. 7 Texas (5-2) took advantage of strong all-around performances to post victories over No. 1 Arizona and SMU Friday evening on Senior Day at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center. Texas defeated the top-ranked Wildcats by a 166-125 margin and defeated SMU, 184-108. Arizona defeated SMU, 165-134.
"We definitely wanted to win this meet," UT head coach Eddie Reese said. "We had been working really hard for a long time. This was one of the best meets we've ever had."
Redshirt sophomore Will Chandler kicked off the evening with wins in the one-meter and three-meter diving events. Chandler claimed the one-meter event with 367.75 points, and freshman Cory Bowersox placed third with 297.10 points. Chandler completed the sweep by taking the three-meter event with 381.80 points. Junior William McCraney took fourth with 351.70 points.
Senior All-American Michael McBroom set a blistering pace in the meet's first swimming event, the 1000-yard freestyle, and was victorious in 8 minutes, 43.48 seconds. It eclipsed the school mark set by Michael Klueh, who finished the first 1,000 yards of the 1,650 freestyle in 8:46.88 at the 2008 NCAA Championships.
Unofficially, the swim is believed to be the one of the fastest 1000-yard freestyle swims ever, but the NCAA does not keep a record for the 1000-yard freestyle, given that it is not contested at the NCAA Championships. Freshman Sam Lewistook second in the event in 9:05.95.
"I had eyed the 1000 free all week in training, and I knew that I wanted to have one good swim today in my senior meet," McBroom said. "I decided to throw a (jammer) suit on for that swim. I wanted to lay it on the line and see where I could go."
Texas followed that effort by claiming the 400 medley relay in 3:12.43, as sophomore Kip Darmody, senior Austin Surhoff, sophomore Tripp Cooper and junior Madison Wenzler finished in 3:12.43. Senior Dax Hill, the reigning NCAA champion in the 200 freestyle, captured the event in 1:33.92. Sophomore Clay Youngquisttook second in 1:35.72.
Senior Cole Cragin led a one-two Texas finish in the 100 backstroke in 47.65. Junior Patrick Murphy followed in 48.03. Freshman John Martenspaced the Horns in the 200 butterfly by taking second in 1:46.68. Hill followed by producing his second win of the night, as he captured the 100 freestyle in 43.05.
Texas posted a dominant all-around showing in the 200 backstroke and claimed the top-three spots. Darmody led the way in 1:44.35, while Murphy placed second in 1:45.12. Surhoff took third in 1:45.15. UT notched another one-two-three finish in the 500 freestyle, as McBroom took his second win of the night in 4:18.57. Sophomore Jake Ritter took second in 4:22.79.
Texas wrapped the night by winning the 200 freestyle relay, as Hill, Surhoff, junior Charlie Mooreand Wenzler finished in 1:18.51.
The Longhorns will take on Arizona and SMU once more in an unscored meet Saturday at the Texas Swimming Center. The meet gets underway at 10 a.m. Central.
