2022 Big 12 Championships: Day 4 Finals Live Recap

2022 BIG 12 SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Wednesday, February 23-Saturday, February 26, 2022
• The Aquatic Center at Mylan Park – Morgantown, WV
• SCY (25 yards)
• Defending Champions:
  • Women: Texas (9x)
  • Men: Texas (25x)
• Women’s Big 12 Record Book
• Men’s Big 12 Record Book
• 2021 Big 12 Champs Results
• Championship Central
• Live Results
• Live Streaming: Big 12 Now On ESPN+

The 2022 Big 12 Swimming & Diving Championship wrap up with tonight with finals of the 200 back, 100 free, 200 breast, 200 fly, and platform diving, along with timed finals of the 1650 freestyle and 400 free.

Texas will easily win both team title, but there is still a good battle for the minor positions in the meet: TCU is only 40.5 points behind Kansas on the women’s side, while West Virginia is only 60 points behind TCU on the men’s side.

Also, we could see a few meet or conference records go down tonight, including the 200 breast after Longhorn Anna Elendt set the 100 breast record last night.

SCORES THOUGH DAY 3

WOMEN:

1. Texas – 744
2. Kansas – 431.5
3. Texas Christian – 391
4. West Virginia – 318.5
5. Iowa State – 317

MEN:

1. Texas – 721
2. Texas Christian – 569
3. West Virginia – 509

Men’s Platform Diving – Finals

• Meet Record: 579.60 – Jordan Windle (Texas), 2018
• Big 12 Record: 579.60 – Jordan Windle (Texas), 2018

Top 3:

1. Andrew Harness (Texas) – 453.05
2. PJ Lenz (WVU) – 373.30
3. Alec Hubbard (TCU) – 372.50

Women’s 200 Back – Finals

• NCAA ‘A’ Cut – 1:50.50
• NCAA ‘B’ Cut – 1:57.11
• 2021 Invite Time – 1:55.05
• Meet Record: 1:51.11 – Tasija Karosas (Texas), 2017
• Big 12 Record: 1:49.91 – Tasija Karosas (Texas), 2017

Top 3:

1. Olivia Bray (Texas) – 1:51.09
2. Rylee Moore (TCU) – 1:57.34
3. Paige Dressel (WVU) – 1:57.43

Texas’ Olivia Bray, normally known as a butteflier, nipped the meet record in this event tonight with a time of 1:51.09. Bray opened up a multiple body length lead by the halfway point ultimately touched six seconds ahead of the rest of the field.

TCU’s Rylee Moore took 2nd in 1:57.34, just ahead of WVU’s Paige Dressel (1:57.43). Both women sent lifetime best with those swims.

There was a tie for 4th, as both Dewi Blose of Kansas and Liz Richardson of Iowa State touched in 1:58.60, just ahead of Kansas’ Ellie Howe (1:58.72).

A bit further back, Abby Reardon of WVU (2:00.22) and Iowa State’s Emily Haan (2:00.47) took 7th and 8th.

Men’s 200 Back – Finals

• NCAA ‘A’ Cut – 1:39.13
• NCAA ‘B’ Cut – 1:45.04
• 2021 Invite Time – 1:41.81
• Meet Record: 1:38.61 – Ryan Harty (Texas), 2019
• Big 12 Record: 1:36.42 – John Shebat (Texas), 2019

Top 3:

1. Carson Foster (Texas) – 1:39.42
2. Peter Larson (Texas) – 1:41.64
3. Justin Heimes (WVU) – 1:45.79

Carson Foster was already the #3 man in the nation in this event heading into this week, and he was just a bit off of season-best time of 1:39.25 tonight, touching in 1:39.42. That’s the third individual title for Foster this week, as he won the 200 IM and the 400 IM the last two days.

His teammate Peter Larson took 2nd in 1:41.64. He was the only other man in the A-final under 1:45, although a trio of Longhorns were under 1:44 in the B-final, led by Chris O’Connor at 1:41.82.

West Virginia’s Justin Heimes officially took 3rd with a time of 1:45.79 after touching just ahead of TCU’s Stefan Varga (1:45.88) and Kade Knoch (1:46.05). Heimes knocked over a second off of his lifetime best today, which previously was a 1:46.93 from last year’s Big 12 Champs.

The Mountaineers also got 6th and 8th place finishes from Josh Harlan (1:46.87) and Jake Young (1:48.00), while TCU’s Luke Dimiceli took 7th in 1:47.95.

Women’s 100 Free – Finals

• NCAA ‘A’ Cut – 47.18
• NCAA ‘B’ Cut – 49.51
• 2021 Invite Time – 48.77
• Meet Record: 47.46 – Claire Adams (Texas), 2018
• Big 12 Record: 47.32 – Claire Adams (Texas), 2018

Top 3:

1. Kelly Pash (Texas) –  48.42
2. Bridget Semenuk (Texas) – 48.73
3. Kyla Leibel (Texas) – 49.26

The Longhorns swept the top five spots in this final. 400 IM champion Kelly Pash led the field tonight with a 48.42, her 2nd-fastest swim ever in this event.

Teammates Bridget Semenuk (48.73) and Kyla Leibel (49.26) took 2nd and 3rd, followed by Julia Cook (49.40) and Grace Cooper (49.65).

WVU’s Jacqueline McCutchan led the non-Texas group with a 49.97, then Kansas’ Claudia Dougan (50.43) got her hand on the wall ahead of TCU’s Serena Gould (50.60).

Men’s 100 Free – Finals

• NCAA ‘A’ Cut – 41.71
• NCAA ‘B’ Cut – 43.80
• 2021 Invite Time – 42.88
• Meet Record: 41.26 – Daniel Krueger (Texas), 2020
• Big 12 Record: 41.26 – Daniel Krueger (Texas), 2020

Top 3:

1. Daniel Krueger (Texas) – 41.49
2. Cameron Auchinachie (Texas) – 42.08
3. Drew Kibler (Texas) – 42.38

Texas senior Daniel Krueger remains undefeated in this event at the Big 12 Championships after winning in 41.49 tonight. Krueger was just a bit off of his season best time of 41.45, and a little bit further off of his Big 12 record of 41.26 from two years ago, but he still won by over half a second.

Teammate Cameron Auchinachie took 2nd in 42.08, just a bit off of his season best, while Drew Kibler took 3rd in 42.38. Krueger and Kibler tied for 2nd at NCAAs last year at 41.59.

Longhorn freshman Tim Connery again improved his lifetime best today with a 4th-place effort. He came into today having never been under 44, but he went 42.99 in prelims before dropping to a 42.69 tonight. His freshman teammate Anthony Grimm finished 6th with a 44,25.

TCU’s Noah Cumby took 5th with a 43.89 as the only non-Longhorn to get under 44 tonight. His teammates Raphael Paiva Da (44.36) and Jadon Wuilliez (44.85) touched 7th and 8th.

Women’s 1650 – Timed Finals

• NCAA ‘A’ Cut – 15:52.41
• NCAA ‘B’ Cut – 16:30.59
• 2021 Invite Time – 16:25.47
• Meet Record: 15:56.51 – Evie Pfeifer (Texas), 2021
• Big 12 Record: 5:48.65 – Evie Pfeifer (Texas), 2021

Top 3:

1. Erica Sullivan (Texas) – 15:58.74
2. Evie Pfeifer (Texas) – 16:00.28
3. Olivia McMurray (Texas) – 16:22.78

As expected, this turned into a battle between two Longhorns: Big 12 record holder Evie Pfeifer and Olympian Erica Sullivan. The two traded the lead a few times, but Sullivan held 29-lows over the final laps, while Pfeifer faded just a bit, and Sullivan won, 15:58.74 to 16:00.28.

Another Texas freshman, Olivia McMurray finished 3rd with a 16:22.78, nearly 25 seconds ahead of the 4th-place finisher, WVU freshman Emily Knorr (16:47.65). Knorr’s fellow Mountaineer freshman Miranda Kirtley took 6th in 16:51.71.

TCU got 5th and 8th place finishes from Jordan Edwards (16:50.56) and Lisa Johnson (17:04.11). Iowa State’s Brinley Horras touched 7th in 16:54.04.

Mens’ 1650 – Timed Finals

• NCAA ‘A’ Cut – 14:37.31
• NCAA ‘B’ Cut – 15:26.19
• 2021 Invite Time – 15:01.33

Top 3:

1. David Johnston (Texas) – 14:45.84
2. Luke Hobson (Texas) – 15:00.60
3. Geremia Freri (West Virginia) – 15:19.49

There wasn’t any drama on the men’s side, as Texas sophomore David Johnston easily won with a time of 14:45.84, the 3rd-fastest time of his career. Johnston was 14:48.08 here last year before going 14:40.13 at NCAAs.

Johnston’s teammate Luke Hobson swam his 2nd-fastest time to take 2nd at 15:00.60. Hobson, a freshman, is looking not at all rested here after having a dynamite first semester, which included breaking 4:10 in the 500 free.

West Virginia freshman Geremia Freri is a native of Italy, so this was only his 2nd time swimming the event, and while he was just a bit slower than the 15:17.55 he swam about a month ago, he still was able to finish ahead of his teammate, William Mullen (15:21.57) despite losing his cap midway through the race.

Texas senior Alex Zettle finished 5th at 15:28.12, followed by TCU’s Milan Fabian (15:39.60). WVU’s Brendan Williams (15:43.68) and Logan McFadden (16:06.24) rounded out the top eight.

Women’s 200 Breast – Finals

• NCAA ‘A’ Cut – 2:06.58
• NCAA ‘B’ Cut – 2:13.97
• 2021 Invite Time – 2:10.49
• Meet Record: 2:05.25 – Laura Sogar (Texas), 2013
• Big 12 Record: 2:04.69 – Anna Elendt (Texas), 2022

Top 3:

1. Anna Elendt (Texas) – 2:03.92
2. Kate Steward (Kansas) – 2:08.90
3. Channing Hanley (Texas) – 2:12.34

Texas sophomore Anna Elendt crushed the meet and Big 12 records, easily winning with a 2:03.92 that moves her to #8 all-time in the event.

Kansas’ Kate Steward was the only other woman under 2:12 tonight, taking 2nd in 2:08.90. Her freshman teammate Brigid Gwidt took 7th I 2:16.86.

The Longhorn also got 3rd and 6th place finishes from Channing Haley (2:12.34) and Ellie Andrews (2:14.99).

Iowa State also had three woman in the A-final. Martha Haas took 4th at 2:13.87, knocking a second and a half off of her prelims time, Lehr Thorson touched 5th in 2:14.82, and Alaina Breitbach touched 8th at 2:17.37.

Men’s 200 Breast – Finals

• NCAA ‘A’ Cut – 1:52.28
• NCAA ‘B’ Cut – 1:58.43
• 2021 Invite Time – 1:54.28
• Meet Record: 1:49.89 – Will Licon (Texas), 2017
• Big 12 Record: 1:47.91 – Will Licon (Texas), 2017

Top 3:

1. Caspar Corbeau (Texas) – 1:51.81
2. Jake Foster (Texas) – 1:53.13
3. Braden Vines (Texas) – 1:56.14

Longhorn Caspar Corbeau went out like a rocket, and only teammate Jake Foster stayed anywhere close to him. Corbuea held on to win in 1:51.81 to sweep the breaststroke events this week. A 1:51 is plenty fast, but Corbeau was even faster earlier this season, when he went 1:50.81 at the Minnesota Invite. Corbeau is now 3-3 in this event at Big 12s. Foster took 2nd in 1:53.13, clocking a season-best for him with his 3rd-fastest swim ever.

The Longhorns swept the top three, as Braden Vines held off TCU’s Janis Silins to take 3rd, 1:56.14 to 1:56.40. Silins’ teammate Hugh McPherson took 4th in 1:57.63.

West Virginia swimmers took 6th-8th: c (1:58.90), Reilly Keaney (2:00.27), and Fausto Huerta (2:03.69).

Women’s 200 Fly – Finals

• NCAA ‘A’ Cut – 1:53.20
• NCAA ‘B’ Cut – 1:57.42
• 2021 Invite Time – 1:59.23
• Meet Record: 1:52.03 – Olivia Bray (Texas), 2021
• Big 12 Record: 1:51.18 – Kathleen Hershey (Texas), 2009

Top 3:

1. Emma Sticklen (Texas) – 1:52.82
2. Mary Smutny (Texas) – 1:59.08
3. Mia Walters (WVU) – 2:01.34

Emma Sticklen was a tad shy of her time from this morning, but it didn’t matter in terms of the finish order, as she still won by over six seconds.

Sticklen’s Texas teammate Mary Smutny took 2nd in 1:59.08, knocking over two seconds off of her prelims time.

West Virginia freshman Mia Walters touched 3rd in 2:01.34. Her teammate Lauren Musbach touched 7th in 2:03.52.

Kansas took 4th and 5th, thanks to Amelie Lessing (2:01.64) and Paige Reikhof (2:01.96).

Iowa State got a 6th-place finish from Winter Craig (2:02.45), and TCU’s Jeanne Dahmen shaved a few hundredths off of prelims time in taking 8th at 2:03.92.

Men’s 200 Fly – Finals

• NCAA ‘A’ Cut – 1:53.20
• NCAA ‘B’ Cut – 1:57.42
• 2021 Invite Time – 1:43.47
• Meet Record: 1:39.35 – Jack Conger (Texas), 2017
• Big 12 Record: 1:37.17 – Jack Conger (Texas), 2017

Top 3:

1. David Dixon (West Virginia) – 1:43.64
2. Coby Carrozza (Texas) – 1:44.15
3. Piotr Sadłowski (Texas Christian) – 1:47.49

This one was bit topsy-turvy. The fastest time actually came from the B-final, where Texas’ Sam Artmann won in 1:42.12. That shaved 0.08s off of his prelims swim, and it could help shore up his bid for a NCAA invite. He appears to be ranked about 24th right now, with just last chance meets and Pac-12s to go.

But, Artmann had been relegated to the B-final since he wasn’t part of Texas’ “scoring-roster,” and instead, West Virginia got to go out on a high note. Fifth-year David Dixon wrapped up his Big 12 career with a win in the 200 fly, touching in 1:43.64.

The only Longhorn in the scoring final, Coby Carrozza, took 2nd in 1:44.15. TCU took 3rd and 4th from Piotr Sadlowski (1:47.49) and Michael Chwaluk (1:48.53), while Dixon’s freshman teammate Zhenya Ingram exactly matched his prelims time with a 1:49.69.

Platform Diving

• Meet Record – 411.30, Samantha Bromberg (Texas), 2015
• Big 12 Record – 411.30, Samantha Bromberg (Texas), 2015

Top 3:

1. Jordan Skilken (Texas) – 386.45
2. Paola Pineda (Texas) – 323.60
3. Faith Harms-Zacharias (Texas Christian) – 264.90

Women’s 400 Free Relay – Timed Final

• NCAA ‘A’ Cut – 3:14.50
• NCAA ‘B’ Cut – 3:16.35
• Meet Record – 3:11.72 – Texas, 2018
• Big 12 Record – 3:09.56 – Texas, 2018

Top 3:

1. Texas – 3:12.68
2. West Virginia – 3:20.34
3. Texas Christian – 3:20.91

The Longhorns swam a season-best time by over four seconds, as each split in sequence was faster than the one before.

Bridget Semenuk led off in 48.62, about a second faster than her individual time earlier this evening. Kyla Leibel split 48.34 on the second leg, and then Olivia Bray (47.91) and Kelly Pash (47.81) recorded a pair of sub-48 splits as the Longhorns got under the NCAA ‘A’ cut with a 3:12.68.

As we’ve seen a lot this week, there was a tight race for second behind Texas. West Virginia anchor Ana Zortea split 49.71 to get past Texas Christian for second, 3:20.34 to 3:20.91. Kansas finished within a whisker of TCU at 3:20.97.

Men’s 400 Free Relay – Timed Final

• NCAA ‘A’ Cut – 2:50.99
• NCAA ‘B’ Cut – 2:52.46
• Meet Record – 2:48.35 – Texas, 2018
• Big 12 Record – 2:45.13 – Texas, 2019

Top 3:

1. Texas – 2:47.59
2. Texas Christian – 2:53.55
3. West Virginia – 2:56.07

The Texas men finished off the meet with a 2:47.59 win here, breaking the meet record of 2:48.35 set in 2018. Cameron Auchinachie led off in 42.12, almost exactly matching his 42.08 individual swim earlier this evening. Drew Kibler split 41.80 on the second leg, breaststroke star Caspar Corbeau split 42.55, then Daniel Krueger rocketed home in 41.12.

Expect this relay to be faster next month. The same quartet went 2:46.46 back in December, and only NC State (2:46.18) and Virginia (2:46.45) have been faster this season.

Texas Christian’s Noah Cumby knocked seven-tenths of a second off of his individual time earlier tonight with his 43.28 leadoff, and TCU took 2nd in 2:53.55. West Virginia finished 3rd at 2:56.08.

The Longhorns’ non-scoring ‘B’ relay went 2:52.35. Peter Larson hit a lifetime best with a 42.74 leadoff, then Tim Connery (42.96), Anthony Grimm (43.42), and Carson Foster (43.23) brought it home.

Final Scores

Women

1. Texas – 1083
2. Kansas – 618
3. Texas Christian – 587
4. West Virginia – 502.5
5. Iowa State – 497.5

Men

1. Texas – 1033
2. Texas Christian – 828
3. West Virginia – 788