The Texas men's and women's squads captured both team titles at the 2013 Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championships in the Lee and Joe Jamail Swimming Center.
The Longhorn women (1051) led from start to finish in the four-day event to earn their fifth Big 12 title in the last seven years. Meanwhile, the Texas men took over the lead on day two and cruised to their 17th straight Big 12 crown and 34th consecutive league title dating back to the Southwest Conference.
On the women's side, West Virginia finished in second with 576 points, while TCU tallied 574 to place third. The team standings rounded out with Kansas (540.5) and Iowa State (486.5).
Texas women took the first two events of the night. Sarah Denninghoff took home her second individual title this week, winning the 200-yard backstroke in 1:53.21 while Sam Tucker won the 100-yard freestyle in 48.99. WVU standout Rachael Burnett then slowed UT momentum, nabbing her third medal by winning the 1650-yard freestyle (16:04.26).
The Longhorns then secured three-straight victories, including a win from Laura Sogar in the 200-yard breaststroke that broke both the Big 12 meet and overall conference record with a time of 2:05.25.
On the diving platform, UT's Shelby Cullinan picked up the title, scoring 294.95.
On the men's side, Texas won six of seven events on the final day to finish with a score of 985. TCU was second with 798 points, while West Virginia finished in third at 788.
TCU started off strong, winning its first Big 12 title as Cooper Robinson took home the gold in the 200-yard backstroke (143.38). The Longhorns then followed up with a couple of powerhouse performances as Dax Hill took home his fourth career individual accolade, going 42.71 in the 100-yard freestyle. In the 1650-yard freestyle, Michael McBroom shattered the previous Big 12 meet record of 14:41.85 set in 2009, winning the event in 14:33.53.
UT finished out the swim meet with three more victories, including a 400-yard freestyle relay win from John Murray, Austin Surhoff, Clay Youngquist and Hill in an NCAA Automatic Qualifying time of 2:52.24.
UT's Will Chandler won his first Big 12 crown, taking the platform dive with a score of 341.30.
Big 12 swimming and diving athletes will now head to the NCAA Championships, which will be held for the women at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis on March 21-23. The men's meet will be at the IU Natatorium in Indianapolis the following weekend.
2013 BIG 12 SWIMMING & DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
TEAM STANDINGS
Men - 1. Texas (985); 2. TCU (798); 3. West Virginia (788)
Women - 1. Texas (1051); 2. West Virginia (576); 3. TCU (574); 4. Kansas (540.5); 5. Iowa State (486.5)
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP HONORS
MEN
Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet: Dax Hill, Texas, Sr.
Outstanding Diver of the Meet: Cory Bowersox, Texas, Fr.
Outstanding Newcomer of the Meet: Sam Lewis, Texas, Fr.
Swim Coach of the Meet: Eddie Reese, Texas
Dive Coach of the Meet: Matt Scoggin, Texas
WOMEN
Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet: Rachael Burnett, West Virginia, Sr.
Outstanding Divers of the Meet: Meghan Houston, Texas, Fr. and Maren Taylor, Texas, Jr.
Outstanding Newcomer of the Meet: Chelsie Miller, Kansas, Fr.
Swim Coach of the Meet: Carol Capitani, Texas
Dive Coach of the Meet: Matt Scoggin, Texas
DAY FOUR CHAMPIONS
-MEN-
200-Yard Backstroke: Cooper Robinson (TCU) - 1:43.38
100-Yard Freestyle: Dax Hill (Texas) - 42.71
1650-Yard Freestyle: Michael McBroom (Texas) - 14:33.53^
200-Yard Breaststroke: Matt Korman (Texas) - 1:59.39
200-Yard Butterfly: Tripp Cooper (Texas) - 1:4529
400-Yard Freestyle Relay: Texas (John Murray, Austin Surhoff, Clay Youngquist, Dax Hill) - 2:52.24$
Platform Diving: Will Chandler (Texas) - 341.30
-WOMEN-
200-Yard Backstroke: Sarah Denninghoff (Texas) - 1:53.21
100-Yard Freestyle: Sam Tucker (Texas) - 48.99
1650-Yard Freestyle: Rachael Burnett (West Virginia) - 16:04.26
200-Yard Breaststroke: Laura Sogar (Texas) - 2:05.25^*
200-Yard Butterfly: Mandie Nugent (West Virginia) - 1:55.82
400-Yard Freestyle Relay: Texas (Alex Hooper, Sam Tucker, Ellen Lobb, Sarah Denninghoff) - 3:15.83$
Platform Diving: Shelby Cullinan (Texas) - 294.95
^ - Big 12 Championships Meet Record
* - Big 12 Conference Overall Record
$ - NCAA Championships Automatic-Qualifying Time
