Jayhawks in Third after Day One of the Big 12 Championships

Feb. 22, 2006

LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Kansas swimming and diving team is in third place after the first day of competition at the 2006 Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championships in Columbia, Mo. The Jayhawks are tied with Missouri and trail Texas and Texas A&M. Two events, the 200 medley relay and the 800 free relay, took place on the first day of the four-day competition.

“We had a really good start to the first day,” head coach Clark Campbell said. “We swam well in our relays and we were able to swim a couple extra teams in every race. Everyone had a chance to swim in the meet and get a chance to experience the championship experience. We are really excited about tomorrow.”

In the 200 medley relay, junior Jenny Short, freshman Danielle Herrmann, freshman Ashley Leidigh, and senior Lindsey Urbatchka combined to finish the race in 1:42.80. That time gave the Jayhawks a third place finish behind Texas and Texas A&M, respectively.

“In the 200 medley relay we were glad to get third, it was a well put together race,” Campbell said.

The Jayhawks took fifth place in the 800 free relay. Senior Gina Gnatzig, sophomore Terri Schramka, freshman Molly Brammer, and senior Emily Rusch combined to finish the race in 7:23.62.

“The 800 free relay was a dog fight to the end and even though we were out touched it was a great race for fifth,” Campbell said.

Kansas will compete in day two of the Big 12 Championships Thursday, Feb 23, in Columbia, Mo., with the preliminary races starting at 10 a.m. and the final races starting at 6 p.m. Log on to the official Big 12 Championships website for up-to-the-minute results: http://mutigers.collegesports.com/ot/miss-big12-swim-06-champ.html.

Team Standings:

1. Texas

1. Texas A&M

3. Kansas

3. Missouri

5. Nebraska

6. Iowa State