2020 Big 12 Championships: Day 4 Finals Live Recap

2020 BIG 12 SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• When: Wednesday, February 26th to Saturday, February 29th | Prelims 10:00 am | Finals 6:00 pm
• Where: Aquatic Center at Mylan Park, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV (Eastern Time Zone)
• Defending Champion: University of Texas Men (40x), University of Texas Women (8x) – results
• Live Streaming Links: Thursday finals / Friday finals / Saturday finals
• Championship Central: Here
• Detailed Timeline: Here
• Psych Sheets: Here
• Live Results: Here

FINAL TEAM STANDINGS

WOMEN

1. University of Texas 1012
2. University of Kansas 831
3. Texas Christian University 534
4. Iowa State University 459
5. West Virginia University 448

MEN

1. University of Texas 1127
2. West Virginia University 873
3. Texas Christian University 654

The final session of the 2020 Big 12 Championships is underway, with the Texas Longhorns approaching Big 12 glory once again. Tonight, we’ll see finals of the 200 back, 100 free, 1650 free, 200 breast, 200 fly, 400 free relay, and plaform diving.

The Kansas Jayhhawks took the top 3 spots this morning in the women’s 200 breast. 100 breast champion Kate Steward led the pack this morning, turining in a time of 2:11.95. Dannie Dilsaver and Haley Downey took the next 2 seeds for finals.

Texas freshman Kelly Pash is looking to put a stamp on a stellar weekend by taking a 2nd conference title. Pash was the top swimmer in prelims of the 200 fly this morning, swimming a personal best of 1:54.14. Pash was 5 seconds faster than the next swimmer in prelims – Morgan Bullock of West Virginia (1:59.31). She’s already swum lifetime bests in the 200 IM and 400 IM this weekend. Claire Adams is also looking to pick up another title in her last Big 12 Championships. Adams looks set to defend her title in the 100 free, where she was the top swimmer this morning by a second. Julia Cook swam another lifetime best this morning to post the top time in the 200 back. Cook posted a 1:52.10, leading the prelims by nearly 3 seconds. If Cook wins tonight, it will be her first individual Big 12 title.

Texas’ Austin Katz, who was reportedly dealing with food poisoning earlier in the meet, will be racing the men’s 200 back. Katz has a personal best of 1:36.45 in the 200 back, making him one of the fastest in NCAA history. Daniel Krueger, Maxime Rooney, and Drew Kibler are set to face off in the men’s 100 free. 100 breast champion Caspar Corbeau will be facing off against TCU freshman Vitauts Silins again tonight, this time in the 200 breast. After holding off a late charge in the 100 last night, we’ll see if Silins’ fortunes can change in a longer distance tonight.

Sam Pomajevich and Andrew Koustik will have a tough race with West Virginia’s David Dixon in the 200 fly. Pomajevich is the only swimmer in the field to have been under 1:40 in the event this season.

MEN’S PLATFORM DIVING:

Podium:

1. Jordan Windle (TEX) – 520.40
2. Andrew Harness (TEX) – 391.30
3. Jacob Cornish (TEX) – 389.80

Jordan Windle was dominant yet again tonight, winning Platform diving for the 3rd year in a row. Windle bested the field by 129 points today, but was actually significantly off his Big 12 record of 579.60. Texas swept diving again, with freshman Andrew Harness earning Silver, and Jacob Cornish taking Bronze.

WOMEN’S 200 BACK – FINALS

• 2019 Invited: 1:54.01
• NCAA “A”: 1:50.50
• NCAA “B”: 1:57.11

Podium:

1. Julia Cook (TEX) – 1:51.62
2. Dewi Blose (KANS) – 1:54.61
3. Evie Pfeifer (TEX) – 1:54.80

Julia Cook swam another personal best on the 200 back, clocking a 1:51.62. This was the first time Cook has broken 1:52 in her career. She narrowly missed the NCAA A cut in the event, which would have been her first individual A cut of her career.

Dewi Blose had another excellent race tonight, clocking a personal best of 1:54.61. Blose had already swum a personal best of 1:56.30 in prelims of the race. The swim marked another time for Blose that was near the 2019 NCAA invited mark. Blose also approached the 2019 invite time in the 100 back.

Evie Pfeifer claimed her 3rd medal of the meet. Pfeifer had previously won the 500 free and 400 IM at this meet.

MEN’S 200 BACK – FINALS

• 2019 Invited: 1:41.31
• NCAA “A”: 1:39.87
• NCAA “B”: 1:45.04

Podium:

1. Austin Katz (TEX) – 1:39.17
2. Alvin Jiang (TEX) – 1:42.64
3. Kade Knoch (TCU) – 1:44.22

Austin Katz got it done for his first title of the meet, swimming a 1:39.17 to win the race by 3.5 seconds. Alvin Jiang took the race out the fastest, splitting 22.56 and 24.97 on the first 2 50s, for a 47.53 on the first 100. Katz wasn’t far behind, flipping at 47.92 at the first 100 mark. Katz came home way faster than Jiang, splitting 51.25 on the 2nd 100, while Jiang was 55.25.

Texas’ exhibition swimmers had some of the fastest times in the field. Josh Artmann swam a 1:40.26, Jason Park clocked a 1:41.34, Ethan Harder was 1:42.72, and Peter Larson was 1:42.95.

WOMEN’S 100 FREE – FINALS

• 2019 Invited: 48.56
• NCAA “A”: 47.18
• NCAA “B”: 49.51

Podium:

1. Claire Adams (TEX) – 48.03
2. Bridget Semenuk (TEX) – 49.28
3. Miranda Heckman (TEX) – 49.57

Claire Adams won another Big 12 100 free title, swimming a 48.03. While Adams was a little ways off her personal best of 47.32, she won the race by over a second. Freshman teammate and 50 free champion Bridget Semenuk came in 2nd with a 49.28, also off her personal best of 48.51. Semenuk’s best time gives her best chance yet of earning an individual invite to NCAAs, coming in just under the 2019 invite time of 48.56.

Miranda Heckman swam a personal best of 49.57 for 3rd. Heckman came in just under her previous best mark of 49.74. Texas’ Kyla Leibel also broke 50 seconds, finishing 4th with a 49.99. Kansas’ Jenny Nusbaum nearly broke the 50 second barrier, finishing in 50.04.

MEN’S 100 FREE – FINALS

• 2019 Invited: 42.53
• NCAA “A”: 41.71
• NCAA “B”: 43.80

Podium:

1. Daniel Krueger (TEX) – 41.26
2. Maxime Rooney (TEX) – 42.06
3. Drew Kibler (TEX) – 42.49

Another Texas sweep in the books. Daniel Krueger had a phenomenal race, swimming a lifetime best of 41.26. The time undercut his previous best of 41.45, and the meet record of 41.27. He was out very quickly, splitting 19.72 on the first 50. He was also back the fastest in the field, posting a 21.54 on the 2nd 50.

Maxime Rooney was narrowly off his personal best of 41.74, but was also home under 22 seconds, swimming a 21.95 on the 2nd 50. Kibler was also near his personal best of 42.15.

West Virginia freshman Hunter Armstrong swam a great race, breaking 43 seconds for the first time. Armstrong came in 4th with a 42.91, besting his top mark of 43.31, which he had just swum in prelims.

WOMEN’S 1650 FREE  – FINALS:

• 2019 Invited: 16:14.21
• NCAA “A”: 15:52.41
• NCAA “B”: 16:30.59

Podium:

1. Mary Smutny (TEX) – 16:52.73
2. Alex Pampalone (WVU) – 16:55.32
3. Crissie Blomquist (KANS) – 16:58.13

Texas freshman mary Smutny picked up her first Big 12 title, swimming a personal best 16:52.73 to win the race. Smutny entered the meet with a personal best 17:11.47, which she swam in 2018. West Virginia had one of their best finishes of the meet, with Alex Pampalone came in 2nd with a 16:55.32. Pampalone’s personal best stands at 16:45.47 from 2017 Big 12s. Crissie Blomquist was 16:58.13 for 3rd. The Jayhwak was well off her personal best of 16:29.88, which she swam in November 2018.

MEN’S 1650 FREE – FINALS:

• 2019 Invited: 14:54.05
• NCAA “A”: 14:37.31
• NCAA “B”: 15:26.19

Podium:

1. Parker Neri (TEX) – 14:55.01
2. JohnThomas Larson (TEX) – 15:04.67
3. Jack Collins (TEX) – 15:16.16

Parker Neri won the men’s mile convincingly, swimming a huge lifetime best of 14:55.01. The time marks Neri’s first performance under 15 minutes, as he came into the race with a personal best 15:02.79, which was from last Fall. Neri’s swim will likely put him right on the bubble for earning an NCAA invite, since his time comes in less than a second off the invite time from last year.

JohnThomas Larson also swam a personal best, taking Silver with a 15:04.67. Larson shaved 3 seconds off his personal best of 15:07.61, which he had set back at the 2018 Big 12 Champs. Jack Collins came in 3rd with a 15:16.16, coming in well off his personal best. It’s of little consequence to Collins, however, who already swam a 14:45.83 at mid season, which will earn him an NCAA invite.

WOMEN’S 200 BREAST – FINALS

• 2019 Invited: 2:09.77
• NCAA “A”: 2:06.84
• NCAA “B”: 2:13.97

Podium:

1. Kate Steward (KANS) – 2:10.68
2. Haley Downey (KANS) – 2:13.95
3. Lehr Thorson (ISU) – 2:14.41

Kate Steward completed her sweep of the breaststroke events, swimming a 2:10.68. The swim marked a significant lifetime best for Steward, whose personal best stood at 2:11.88. The swim also put the sophomore within a second of the 2019 invite time for NCAAs. It was runner-up Haley Downey that took the race out the fastest, splitting 1:02.72 at the 100 mark. Downey fell off the pace on the back half, however, finishing 2nd with a 2:13.95.

Iowa State took a spot on the podium, finishing 3rd with a 2:14.41. The swim took .26 seconds off her best time of 2:14.67, which she had swum in prelims this morning.

Kansas also picked up 4th with Dannie Dilsaver, who was off her prelims time, but finished just off the podium in 2:14.50.

MEN’S 200 BREAST – FINALS

• 2019 Invited: 1:54.04
• NCAA “A”: 1:52.61
• NCAA “B”: 1:58.43

Podium:

1. Caspar Corbeau (TEX) – 1:53.92
2. Vitauts Silins (TCU) – 1:54.63
3. Braden Vines (TEX) – 1:56.67

Caspar Corbeau completed his sweep of the breaststroke events this weekend, taking the 200 breast with a 1:53.92. He won a tight race with TCU freshman Vitauts Silins, but this time Corbeau was the one who had the late charge. Silins touched .01 seconds ahead of Corbeau at the 150 mark, 1:24.42 to 1:24.43. Corbeau then brought it home in a speedy 29.49, while Silins swam a 30.21. Silins’ time stands as a personal best, knocking over a second off his prelims time of 1:55.81, which was his personal best. Corbeau was off his best time of 1:52.06, which he swam back in December.

Texas rounded out the podium with Braden Vines taking 3rd.

WOMEN’S 200 FLY – FINALS

• 2019 Invited: 1:56.18
• NCAA “A”: 1:53.20
• NCAA “B”: 1:59.23

Podium:

1. Kelly Pash (TEX) – 1:54.56
2. Morgan Bullock (WVU) – 1:58.89
3. Lauren Case (TEX) – 2:00.03

Kelly Pash won her 2nd title of the meet, swimming a 1:54.56.The swim was Pash’s 3rd fastest time of her career, and her 3rd 1:54 of the season. Pash swam a lifetime best 1:54.14 in prelims, which was a personal best. West Virginia’s Morgan Bullock finished 2nd with a 1:58.89 marking a season best for the senior. The time was only Bullock’s 12th fastest performance to date, however, and was well off her personal best of 1:54.13.

Lauren Case out-touched Kansas’ Great Olsen for 3rd. Case was just off her prelims swim, touching in 2:00.03, while Olsen dropped from this morning with a 2:00.38.

MEN’S 200 FLY – FINALS

• 2019 Invited: 1:42.35
• NCAA “A”: 1:40.76
• NCAA “B”: 1:46.69

Podium:

1. Sam Pomajevich (TEX) – 1:41.78
2. Andrew Koustik (TEX) – 1:43.16
3. David Dixon (WVU) – 1:43.58

The top 3 finishers finished well ahead of the rest of the field. Sam Pomajevich swam a 1:41.78, marking his 7th best time in his career. Pomajevich has a personal best of 1:39.35, which he has swum twice this season. Andrew Koustik was a second off his personal best of 1:42.15, and Dixon was off his best of 1:41.59. Dixon is safe to earn an invite, since his 1:41.59 is from this season.

WOMEN’S PLATFORM DIVING – FINALS:

Podium:

1. Jordan Skilken (TEX) – 304.05
2. Paola Pineda (TEX) – 295.25
3. Janie Boyle (TEX) – 288.80

Alison Gibson didn’t compete at platform, but Jordan Skilken put Texas on top of the podium. The Longhorns swept the podium, with Paola Pineda posting another good finish, and Janie Boyle earning Bronze. 3 meter champion Jiayu Chen of Kansas came in 5ht tonight with a score of 249.90.

WOMEN’S 400 FREE RELAY – FINALS:

• NCAA “A”: 3:14.61
• NCAA “B”: 3:16.35

Podium:

1. Texas – 3:14.24
2. Kansas – 3:19.72
3. West Virginia – 3:21.56

Texas took the 400 free relay in their 2nd fastest time of the season, swimming a 3:14.24. 100 free champion Claire Adams led the squad off in 48.45, with Julia Cook going 2nd in 48.33, Bridget Semenuk swimming 3rd with a 49.31, and Kelly Pash anchoring in 48.15. The same squad swam a 3:13.06 back in December, coming in under the NCAA A cut, automatically earning them a spot at NCAAs.

Kansas was the runner-up, fueled by a strong back half of 49.64 and 49.57 from Manon Manning and Carly Straight.

With the win, Texas officially claimed their 9th consecutive Big 12 title.

MEN’S 400 FREE RELAY – FINALS:

• NCAA “A”: 2:51.11
• NCAA “B”: 2:52.46

Podium:

1. Texas – 2:48.56
2. West Virginia – 2:54.22
3. –

TCU’s ‘A’ relay was DQ’d for an early take-off, leaving only 2 relays scoring in the event. The Longhorns completed their sweep of the relays this weekend, swimming a 2:48.56. Maxime Rooney led the team off in a season best 41.91, with Drew Kibler following in 42.32, Matthew Willenbring going 3rd with a 42.93, and 100 free champion Daniel Krueger anchoring in 41.40.

West Virginia’s Hunter Armstrong, a freshman, led the relay off 42.78, swimming his personal best in the event today.