We save the Big 12 men’s Championship Preview for last to build the anticipation, the expectations, and the drama. That’s because, frankly, there isn’t much drama in this meet. Texas has won the last 31 Conference titles (though most of those span to before the formation of the Big 12). A lot of people overlook this race when compared to Stanford’s 29-straight, but it truly is impressive. Of late, the meets haven’t been all that close either, including a sweep of all 16 swimming events last season.
This year will be no different. For the Longhorns, this meet represents mostly a battle for relay spots and to ensure that they get their full allotment of 16 qualifiers (with options) for NCAA’s. There is still plenty of reason to be excited though. They have been partial-squadding most of their meets this season, which they can do because they’re so loaded and deep, and this will be a great opportunity to see what all they really have.
But the meet won’t be a total bust competitively. The dual meet between Texas and Texas A&M ended up being a little lopsided, but A&M definitely turned some heads when they snagged four out of the first five events. The Aggies have good depth in most events, save the backstrokes and IM’s, and could make this a closer Big 12 meet we’ve seen in a long time.
The only other men’s team in the conference, Missouri, has taken major strides the past few seasons, including snatching a second-place finish from the Aggies in 2009. The Tigers, under new coach Greg Rhodenbaugh, have continued to improve this season, but it’s hard to predict what they’ll do at Big 12’s. Rhodenbaugh is a former lead assistant under Frank Busch at Arizona, and it will be interesting how he melds the old Arizona philosophy with the talents of his new team.
The positive about a meet like this, with only three teams, is that typically every swimmer on each team’s “scoring lineup” gets a second swim to earn NCAA qualifying times, so lots of swimmers get experience in a championship setting.
Diving
All three programs have very good diving groups, but one specific diver stands out for each program. At Texas, it’s Drew Livingston, who set the 1-meter NCAA record at Nationals in 2009. For A&M, it’s Aussie Grant Nel, who is a contender on the 3-meter at NCAA’s. Both of those divers are front-runners for the coveted “best diver in the country not named David Boudia” award. Missouri’s Dante Jones has stepped into the spotlight this year after scoring at NCAA’s on both the 1-meter and platform last season.
But all three teams are also deep in diving, with a high probability of multiple NCAA scorers. Texas’ number two man is Matt Cooper, who could A-final in all three disciplines at NCAA’s. A&M’s Cam McLean, when he’s healthy, has put up even bigger numbers than Nel on the 1-meter, and Missouri has added a freshman named David Bonuchi, who finaled on the 3-meter at USA-Diving Winter Nationals. All-in-all, the scoring will swing a few points one way or the other on diving, but nothing too significant points wise.
Races To Watch
200 yard medley relay
If there’s a race that Texas won’t win at this meet, it will probably be the very first one: the 200 medley relay. Last year, they were only .5 seconds ahead of A&M, and the Longhorns graduated half of the relay. Texas has a great foursome of Cole Cragin, Scott Spann, Neil Caskey, and Jimmy Feigen that could be a contender at NCAA’s. But at this meet, for which A&M will likely be further along in their taper, the Aggies will have three outstanding legs (Nathan Lavery, Boris Loncaric, and freshman Kyle Troskot who has come on strong at the end of the season) They have also found a more-than-serviceable filler for the backstroke in Amini Fonua. Fonua has focused most of his efforts on breaststrokes collegiately but has phenomenal underwaters that he uses to power his way to a very good 50-backstroke split. He will be the key to this race: A&M will have the edge on the butterfly leg, Texas will take the freestyle, and the breaststroke could be pretty close. If Fonua, who is the greatest competitive swimmer in the history of his native Tonga, can hang with Cragin on the walls, the Aggies could line up for a chance at the final touch.
100 yard backstroke
The aforementioned Cole Cragin is the favorite in this event, and he is probably hoping to emerge seeded around a 46-low: in the top 10 headed towards NCAA’s. But he will have a couple of new faces chomping at his feet in this race. Missouri’s Roko Simunic has gone multiple 47’s already this year. The Croatian transfered from just down the road at Missouri State for his final season of eligibility, and will be hoping to make a big mark. Texas freshman Patrick Murphy will be the three seed, and another “pure speed” guy, Texas freshman Madison Wenzler, has been coming on very strongly towards the end of this season.
200 yard breaststroke
Two Texas breaststrokers have been fantastic this season, and get this: neither one of them is named Scott Spann. Eric Friedland put up a 1:55.6 (currently ranked 7th in the country) in their dual against A&M, and Nick D’Innocenzo has been almost as good in this race. But have no fear, Spann has never been much for in-season speed, but usually shows up when it counts. He has only swum in three meets this year, and was a 1:57 on a rest meet at the Texas Invite. Last year, Spann placed only 4th in this race at Big 12’s, but the Longhorns are probably counting on him for 20 big points at NCAA’s. A&M’s best will be Bryan Snowden, who could sneak into a B-final at NCAA’s. Even if Spann is setting his sights well beyond this meet, it will be a great race.
Outlook
No real surprises here. If A&M can win a race or two and keep the score within 200 points, that would be a small victory for them. Texas will be pointing it’s energy at NCAA’s, but will still undoubtedly put up a lot of great swims.
Expected Finish Order:
1. Texas Longhorns
2. Texas A&M Aggies
3. Missouri Tigers
