2024 Big 12 Championships: Day 5 Finals Live Recap

2024 BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Dates: Tuesday, February 27 – Saturday, March 2
• Morgantown, West Virginia
  • The Aquatic Center at Mylan Park
• Defending Champions:
  • Men: Texas (27x)
  • Women: Texas (11x)
• Championship Central
• Psych Sheets
• Live Results
• Live Results also available via Meet Mobile: “2024 Big 12 Swimming & Diving Championships”
• Live Video (ESPN+ Subscription Required)
• Day 1 Finals Recap
• Day 2 Prelims Recap | Day 2 Finals Recap
• Day 3 Prelims Recap | Day 3 Finals Recap
• Day 4 Prelims Recap | Day 4 Finals Recap
• Day 5 Prelims Recap
• Day 5 Finals Heat Sheet

Tonight’s final session of the 2024 Big 12 Championships will feature a lot of “lasts.”

It will be the last Big 12 Championships for the University of Texas Longhorns before they join the Southeastern Conference next season. The Texas men have won the conference championship every year since the conference came into existence, so they’ll be going for win 28 tonight. The women have won 21 titles, and haven’t lost since 2012, when Texas A&M won prior to departing for the SEC.

It will also be the last session of the last conference championship for longtime Texas men’s coach Eddie Reese, who will be retiring after this season.

It also may be the last conference championship for senior likes Olivia Bray of Texas and Hunter Gubeno of Cincinnati, the top seeds in the 200 back, or Longhorn Anna Elendt, the top seed in the 200 breast (although some seniors may return for a fifth year of eligibility).

But it could also be a night of “firsts.” A host of freshmen or Big 12 newcomers could be in the hunt for their first Big 12 titles in tonight’s events. That lists Longhorn freshmen Will Modglin (200 back), Nate Germonprez and Camden Taylor (100 free), and Brayden Taivassalo (200 breast), as well as TCU freshman Guilherme Camossato (200 breast), and conference newcomer Jordan Tiffany of BYU, who holds the top seed in the 100 free.

Stay tuned for an exciting night of “first,” “lasts,” and great competition.

TEAM SCORES THROUGH DAY 4

WOMEN

1. Texas – 1506
2. Houston – 954.5
3. TCU – 879.5
4. Cincinnati – 688.5
5. BYU – 558.5
6. WVU – 533
7. Kansas – 461.50
8. Iowa State – 370

MEN

1. Texas – 1538
2. TCU – 1041
3. BYU – 984
4. Cincinnati – 876.5
5. WVU – 793.5

Women’s 3m Diving – Finals

• Big 12 Record: 418.50, Hailey Hernandez (Texas) – 2022 Big 12 Championships
• Big 12 Championship Record: 418.50, Hailey Hernandez (Texas) – 2022

Top 8:

1. Shiyun Lai (Kansas) – 406.20
2. Anna Kwong (TCU) – 369.75
3. Bridget O’Neil (Texas) – 366.80
4. Hailey Hernandez (Texas) – 363.65
5. Amanda Stalfort (Texas) – 341.15
6. Gabriela San Juan Carmona (Kansas) – 333.15
7. Sarah Carruthers (Texas) – 319.90
8. Chase Farris (Houston) – 313.00

Kansas freshman Shiyun Lai followed up her 2nd place finish in the 1m with her first Big 12 title by winning the 3m by a wide margin tonight. She posted the top score in a field that include the Big 12 record-holder in the event, Texas’ Hailey Hernandez, who took 4th.

WOMEN’S 200 Backstroke – Finals

• NCAA Record: 1:47.24, Beata Nelson (Wisconsin) – 2019 NCAA Championships
• Big 12 Record: 1:49.91, Tasija Karosas (Texas) – 2017 NCAA Championships
• Big 12 Championship Record: 1:50.09, Olivia Bray (Texas) – 2023
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:50.50
• 2023 NCAA Invite Time: 1:53.34

Top 8:

1. Olivia Bray (Texas) – 1:53.01
2. Berit Berglund (Texas) – 1:55.43
3. Tania Quaglieri (TCU) – 1:56.04
4. Alicia Wilson (Texas) / Emma Kern (Texas) – 1:56.14
5. (tie)
6. Mikayla Popham (TCU) – 1:57.09
7. Emma Marusakova (BYU) – 1:58.05
8. Danielle Titus (Houston) – 1:58.67

Texas senior Olivia Bray won her third-straight title in this event with a 1:53.01 tonight. Freshman Berit Berglund took 2nd in 1:55.43. The pair currently ranks 17th and 18th in the country, respectively, with times of 1:52.68 and 1:52.80 from midseason.

That’s Bray first individual victory of the week after placing 2nd in both the 100 fly and the 100 back (behind Berglund) earlier this week.

TCU’s Tania Quaglieri took 3rd in 1:56.04, lowering her personal best from the 1:57.33 she swam at least year’s ACC Champs when she was swimming for Florida State.

Longhorn teammates Alicia Wilson and Emma Kern tied 4th at 1:56.15. Kern was just a bit faster a few weeks ago, while Wilson has been as fast as 1:52.67 back in 2021 when she was at Cal.

MEN’S 200 Backstroke – Finals

• NCAA Record: 1:35.73, Ryan Murphy (Cal) – 2016 NCAA Championships
• Big 12 Record: 1:36.42, John Shebat (Texas) – 2019 NCAA Championships
• Big 12 Championship Record: 1:38.61, Ryan Harty (Texas) – 2019
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:39.13
• 2023 NCAA Invite Time: 1:40.62

Top 8:

1. Will Modglin (Texas) – 1:39.73
2. Hunter Gubeno (Cincinnati) – 1:39.95
3. Chris O’Connor (Texas) – 1:43.12
4. Justin Heimes (WVU) – 1:44.64
5. Logan Walker (Texas) – 1:45.04
6. Nigel Forbes (Texas) – 1:45.07
7. Edgar Cicanci (Cincinnati) – 1:45.27
8. Joe Swain (Cincinnati) – 1:46.64

Texas freshman Will Modglin went with a “fly and die” approach, going out in under 48, and paying for it a bit on the back half, but he had enough left in the tank to win his third Big 12 championship , touching in 1:39.73. Modglin ranks #7 in the country with a 1:38.99 from midseason.

Cincinnati senior Hunter Gubeno didn’t panic when Modglin went out fast, and split 25-something on his final three 50s. If he had a few meters he may have have touched out Modglin, but his time of 1:39.95 is still a huge lifetime best and appears to be a new Bearcats record.

Texas senior Chris O’Connor took 3rd in 1:43.12. His season best of 1:40.42 currently ranks about 25th in the country, which is probably on the bubble of a NCAA invite with a Pac-12s and a few last chance meets to go, but may be enough to get him in.

The fourth through sixth place finishers, West Virginia’s Justin Heimes (1:44.64), Texas’ Logan Walker (1:45.04), and TCU’s Nigel Forbes (1:45.07) all improved on this morning’s swims. Cincinnati’s Edgar Cicanci (1:45.27) and Joe Swain (1:46.64) faded just a bit from their prelims time after getting help Cincinnati to three A-finalists in this event with they morning swims.

WOMEN’S 100 Freestyle – Finals

• NCAA Record: 45.16, Gretchen Walsh (Virginia) – 2024 ACC Championships
• Big 12 Record: 47.32, Claire Adams (Texas) – 2018 Texas Hall of Fame Invitational
• Big 12 Championship Record: 47.46, Claire Adams (Texas) – 2022
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 47.18
• 2023 NCAA Invite Time: 48.37

Top 8:

1. Erin Gemmell (Texas) – 48.08
2. Jessica Davis (Cincinnati) – 48.72
3. Grace Cooper (Texas) – 48.74
4. Ava Longi (Texas) – 48.79
5. Sienna Schellenger (Texas) – 49.08
6. Emma Davidson (Texas) – 49.19
7. Serena Gould (TCU) – 49.22
8. Alexa Fulton (Texas) – 49.44

It looked like half the field was still in the race at the 75 mark, but it was Texas freshman Erin Gemmell who surged on the final length and got her hand on the wall first with a time of 48.08 to set a new personal best.

Although six Longhorn women were in the championship final, Cincinnati picked up their second 2nd-place finish in a row thanks to Jessica Davis (48.72), who touched just ahead of Longhorns Grace Cooper (48.74) and Ava Longi (48.79). That was a lifetime best for Davis, improving on her 49.32 from midseason.

Texas teammates Sienna Schellenger (49.08), Emma Davidson (49.19), and Alex Fulton (49.44) touched 5th, 6th, and 8th, with TCU’s Serena Gould taking 7th at 49.22.

MEN’S 100 Freestyle – Finals

• NCAA Record: 39.90, Caeleb Dressel (Florida) – 2018 NCAA Championships
• Big 12 Record: 41.06, Tate Jackson (Texas) – 2018 Texas Hall of Fame Invitational
• Big 12 Championship Record: 41.26, Daniel Krueger (Texas) – 2020
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 41.50
• 2023 NCAA Invite Time: 42.32

Top 8:

1. Nate Germonprez (Texas) – 42.24
2. Jordan Tiffany (BYU – 42.49
3. Camden Taylor (Texas) – 42.53
4. Coby Carrozza (Texas) – 42.83
5. Jon Osa (Cincinnati) – 43.14
6. Drew Hawthorne (Cincinnati) – 43.32
7. Luigi Riva (BYU) – 43.90
8. Payton Plumb (BYU) – 43.95

When freshman Nate Germonprez arrived in Austin, it looked like he may focus on breaststroke, since his high school times in that discipline put him at the top of the Longhorns’ depth chart. But we also knew that he had some sprint free chops, so it’s not too shocking to see his first individual Big 12 title come in the 100 free. Germonprez knocked nearly a second off of his lifetime best today, coming in today with a 43.17 from last year, then lowering it to 42.79 in prelims before winning in 42.24.

Longhorn freshman teammate Camden Taylor also reset his lifetime best today, improving from 43.31 to 42.91 in prelims to a finals time of 42.53, good for 3rd. Texas has lost a ton of sprint freestyle talent the last two years, but Germonprez and Taylor, among others, will provide a strong core for whoever Texas hires to replace Reese to build around. Texas senior Coby Carrozza also set a lifetime best, breaking 43 on a flat start for the first time with a 42.83 to take 4th.

BYU’s Jordan Tiffany continued his torrid meet, nearly running down Germonprez for the win. He “settled” for a 2nd-place time of 42.49, just off his lifetime best of 42.39 from last year. Tiffany took 3rd in the 200 IM and won the 100 fly earlier this week. His teammates Luigi Riva (43.90) and Payton Plumb (43.95) took 7th and 8th as BYU continues to pull in A-final points.

Cincinnati’s Jon Osa (43.14) and Drew Hawthorne (43.32) finished 5th and 6th, with both men improving on their prelims times.

Women’s 1650 Free – Fastest Heat

• NCAA Record: 15:03.31, Katie Ledecky (Stanford) – 2017 Art Adamson Invite
• Big 12 Record: 15:45.95, Erica Sullivan (Texas) – 2022 NCAA Championships
• Big 12 Championship Record: 15:48.65, Evie Pfeifer (Texas) – 2021
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 15:52.41
• 2023 NCAA Invite Time: 16:13.73

Overall Top 8:

1. Erica Sullivan (Texas) – 15:52.90
2. Abby Pfeifer (Texas) – 16:18.83
3. Kara Church (TCU) – 16:33.13
4. Jordan Edwards (TCU) – 16:40.03
5. Miranda Kirtley (WVU) – 16:41.98
6. Victoria Schreiber (BYU) – 16:43.49
7. Sydney Inman (TCU) – 16:43.66
8. Eden Humphrey (Houston) – 16:48.34

Big 12 record-holder Erica Sullivan cruised to the win, stopping the clock nearly 26 seconds ahead of the rest of the field in a time of 15:52.90. While that’s well off Sullivan’s lifetime best of 15:23.81 from 2020, that’s still the 4th-fastest time in NCAA this season.

Teammate Abby Pfeifer took 2nd in 16:18.83, about five seconds short of the time it took to earn a NCAA invite last year. Abby’s older sister, Evie Pfeifer, also swam for Texas and holds the Big 12 meet record.

Kara Church was the fastest of three TCU who finished in the top 8, and she hit a lifetime best with her 3rd-place finish time of 16:33.03.

Men’s 1650 Free – Fastest Heat

• NCAA Record: 14:12.08, Bobby Finke (Florida) – 2020 SEC Championships
• Big 12 Record: 14:22.41, Clark Smith (Texas) – 2017 NCAA Championships
• Big 12 Championship Record: 14:31.29, Clark Smith (Texas) – 2016
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 14:37.31
• 2023 NCAA Invite Time: 14:53.84

Overall Top 8:

1. Alec Enyeart (Texas) – 14:58.71
2. Ivan Puskovitch (WVU) – 15:15.34
3. Alex Gonzalez (Cincinnati) – 15:19.33
4. Ido Gal (Cincinnati) – 15:27.88
5. Sasha Lyubavisky (Texas) – 15:28.92
6. Aaron Wilmes (TCU) – 15:29.51
7. Kyle Bumgardner (Cincinnati) – 15:33.48
8. Kornel Kohalmi (TCU) – 15:34.20

Texas swept the 1650s tonight, as Alec Enyeart followed up Erica Sullivan‘s win with a big win of his own. Enyeart won by over 16 seconds, but appeared a little frustrated after his swim, possibly because his time of 14:58.71 probably won’t earn a NCAA invite this year. It was still a season-best time for Enyeart, who improved on his 15:02.38 from midseason.

West Virginia’s Ivan Puskovitch, who will head to Paris this summer as an open water swimmer, took 2nd in 15:15.34. Cincinnati’s Alex Gonzalez celebrated hard after his 3rd-place finish, having stopped the clock in a lifetime best of 15:19.33.

WOMEN’S 200 Breaststroke – Finals

• NCAA Record: 2:01.29, Kate Douglass (Virginia) – 2023 NCAA Championships
• Big 12 Record: 2:03.26, Anna Elendt (Texas) – 2023 NCAA Championships
• Big 12 Championship Record: 2:03.92, Anna Elendt (Texas) – 2022
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 2:05.73
• 2023 NCAA Invite Time: 2:09.68

Top 8:

1. Lydia Jacoby (Texas) – 2:05.58
2. Anna Elendt (Texas) – 2:06.46
3. Mia Cheatwood (WVU) – 2:09.13
4. Flo Peter (Houston) – 2:11.76
5. Campbell Stoll (Texas) – 2:11.91
6. Mackenzie Miller (BYU) – 2:11.95
7. Nina Vadovicova (TCU) – 2:12.09
8. Julie Rose (Cincinnati) – 2:12.66

Anytime Lydia Jacoby and Anna Elendt race, it’s going to be good. Jacoby, the reigning Olympic champion in the 100 breast, took it out fast and event said in the post-race interview that she scared herself a little with out how fast she took it out. But, she hung to maintain that lead the rest of the race and win with a 2:05.28. That time moves her to #4 in the nation this season.

Teammate Anna Elendt had the 4th-fastest time in the country coming into this meet, with a 2:06.19 from midseason, and she was just a bit off of that time with her 2nd-place time of 2:06.43.

West Virginia’s Mia Cheatwood improved her lifetime best by over a second today, culminating in a 3rd-place finish time of 2:09.13, well under last year’s NCAA qualifying time.

Further back, there was a tight race for 4th, but Houston’s Flo Peter (2:11.91) touched just ahead of Texas freshman Campbell Stoll (2:11.91), BYU’s Mackenzie Miller (2:11.95), and TCU’s Nina Vadovicova (2:12.09). Cincinnati’s Julie Rose touched 8th in 2:12.66.

MEN’S 200 Breaststroke – Finals

• NCAA Record: 1:46.91, Leon Marchand (ASU) – 2023 NCAA Championships
• Big 12 Record: 1:47.91, Will Licon (Texas) – 2017 NCAA Championships
• Big 12 Championship Record: 1:49.89, Will Licon (Texas) – 2017
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 1:51.09
• 2023 NCAA Invite Time: 1:52.94

Top 8 7:

1. Brayden Taivassalo (Texas) – 1:53.28
2. Will Scholtz (Texas) – 1:53.70
3. Guilherme Camossato (TCU) – 1:53.83
4. Brad Prolo (BYU) – 1:54.36
5. Emerson Edwards (BYU) – 1:55.13
6. Felipe Goncalves (TCU) – 1:57.18
7. Jadon Wuilliez (TCU) – 2:08.94

Will Scholtz took it out fast, but freshman teammate Brayden Taivassalo showed his endurance on the back half, and got his hands on the wall first with a 1:53.28. That’s a lifetime best by 0.61s for Taivassalo, and it moves him to #25 in the nation, pending other results from this weekend. That’s a little slower than last year’s invite time, but it may be enough for a NCAA invite, depending on how the next week or so goes.

Scholtz also hit a lifetime best with a 2nd-place time of 1:53.70, his first time under 1:54. Scholtz will probably also be on the inside looking out for a NCAA invite. It’ll be interesting to see if Texas brings him to NCAAs as a relay-only swimmer, or if they’re content to rely on Jake Foster, who didn’t swim this week, but has threw down some fast times a few weeks ago.

TCU’s Guilherme Camossato (1:54.36), BYU’s Brad Prolo (1:54.36), and BYU’s Emerson Edwards (1:55.13) all hit lifetime bests today.

Texas Christian also got 6th and 7th-place finishes from Felipe Goncalves (1:57.18) and Jadon Wuilliez (2:08.94), while WVU’s Danny Berlitz was disqualified.

Men’s Platform Diving – Finals

Top 8:

1. Tanner Braunton (Texas) – 452.20
2. Alec Hubbard (TCU) – 409.25
3. Noah Duperre (Texas) – 390.45
4. Chase Hindmarsh (BYU) – 371.25
5. Elliot Dillon (TCU) – 361.05
6. Pierce Brooke (Texas) – 355.35
7. Owen Recker (WVU) – 336.90
8. Glenn Eloriaga (WVU) – 334.80

The Longhorn freshmen have been rolling tonight, and Tanner Braunton picked up his first Big 12 title with a 452.20 win on the platform. Braunton is relatively new to diving, having only made the transition from gymnastics about three years ago.

TCU’s Alec Hubbard took 2nd with a score of 409.25, followed by Longhorn Noah Duperre (390.45).

Women’s 400 Free Relay – Timed Finals

• NCAA Record: 3:05.84, Virginia – 2023 NCAA Championships
• Big 12 Record: 3:09.56, Texas – 2018 Texas Invite
• Big 12 Championship Record: 3:11.29, Texas – 2023
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 3:14.10

Top 8:

1. Texas – 3:12.01
2. TCU – 3:16.33
3. Cincinnati – 3:18.42
4. Kansas – 3:21.99
5. BYU – 3:22.00
6. Houston – 3:23.66
7. Iowa State – 3:32.93
8. WVU – 3:24.08

The Longhorns closed out their final Big 12 race in style, combining for a time of 3:12.01 with a relay weighted towards upperclassmen.

Fifth year Emma Davidson led off in 49.24, freshman Erin Gemmell, who won the individual 100 free earlier tonight, split 47.88 on the second leg, Ava Longi split 47.99, and Kelly Pash anchored with a quick 46.90. The Longhorns were a little faster at midseason, where they went 3:10.46 with a lineup that included Grace Cooper instead of Davidson.

Texas Christian was in the lead after a 49.19 leadoff from Tania Quaglieri, and finished 2nd with a time of 3:16.33, followed by Cincinnati at 3:18.42.

There was a great battle for 4th, where BYU out split Kansas on the back half, but came up just short as the Jayhawks touched in 3:21.99 to BYU’s 3:22.00.

Men’s 400 Free Relay – Timed Finals

• NCAA Record: 2:44.07, Florida – 2023 NCAA Championships
• Big 12 Record: 2:45.12, Texas – 2019 NCAA Championships
• Big 12 Championship Record: 2:48.35, Texas – 2018
• NCAA ‘A’ Cut: 2:50.44

Top 5:

1. Texas – 2:48.89
2. BYU – 2:51.35
3. Cincinnati – 2:52.45
4. WVU – 2:53.95
5. TCU – 2:55.86

The Longhorns closed out the meet with a season-best time in the 400 free relay, moving up to #12 in the nation with a 2:48.89 tonight. 100 free champ Nate Germonprez led off in 42.48, just a bit off his winning time earlier this evening. Senior Coby Carrozza and fifth year Cole Crane had identical 42.36 splits on the next two legs, then freshman Camden Taylor anchored in a swift 41.69 after setting a new personal best of 42.53 in the individual 100 earlier this session. Texas’ best 100 freestyler, Luke Hobson, isn’t swimming this week, but he should be available at NCAAs, and his addition could propel them into the top eight there.

BYU’s Jordan Tiffany led off in 42.25, setting a new personal best, as BYU ended up 2nd in 2:51.35. Cincinnati took 3rd in 2:52.45.

Final Scores

Women

1. Texas – 2092
2. Houston – 1266.5
3. TCU – 1215.5
4. Cincinnati – 918.5
5. BYU – 771.5
6. West Virginia – 699
7. Kansas – 647.5
8. Iowa State – 529

Men

1. Texas – 1979
2. TCU – 1430
3. BYU – 1402
4. Cincinnati – 1285.5
5. West Virginia – 1138.5