Missouri swimming and diving lost to Tennessee on Oct. 15, 2015, in the team’s first dual meet of the season. Almost exactly a year later, the Tigers took on Alabama in Columbia.
For senior Katharine Ross, there was a stark contrast between the Tennessee and Alabama meets.
“We came away defeated and low-energy [last season],” she said. “And I think this whole meet has been completely the opposite for us.”
The Missouri women knocked off the Crimson Tide 167-132, but the men fell 183-114.
Ross set the tone for the women, winning the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke and helping the Missouri 200-yard medley relay to victory.
“The 100 has always been kind of my baby,” she said. “But the 200 is one that I had to go into it being like, ‘Okay, I’m going to own this.’ Because I’m not going to unless I tell myself that I will.”
The Missouri freshmen continued to impress at the meet. Azra Avdic won the 200-yard butterfly for her first collegiate victory, and Jennifer King and Samantha Coloma also scored points for the team.
Haley Hynes, however, may have had the most impressive swim by a freshman. Hynes led off the 200-yard medley relay with a backstroke leg of 25.07.
“That’s the fastest we’ve ever had in-season by a mile, and she’s just a freshman,” coach Greg Rhodenbaugh said.
Senior Michael Chadwick led the way on the men’s side. The U.S. National Team member won both the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events.
Chadwick’s time of 19.81 in the 50-yard race was the fastest by an NCAA swimmer this season.
“I’m a lot more beat down than I have ever been, so I didn’t really know what to expect,” he said. “But I knew I had to bring forth everything that I had.”
In the men’s 200-yard medley relay, Chadwick and the Tigers fell to Alabama, the defending NCAA Champions in the event, by a mere .41 seconds.
Senior Fabian Schwingenschlogl also had a strong day for Missouri. The German National Team member took first in the 100-yard breaststroke and second in the 200-yard event.
Though there were a number of strong swims for the Tigers, Chadwick said there are still areas in which the team can grow.
“Definitely, (losing) kind of stings a little bit,” he said. “I just feel like we, as a program, have a lot more to give. So I’m excited to see what we can do when we finally start getting some rest.”
In the diving well, sophomore Kyle Goodwin won the 1- and 3-meter events, scoring 18 team points for Missouri. Senior Lauren Reedy was dominant, taking first in both women’s competitions and setting a school record in the 3-meter.
The Tigers are back in action on Nov. 4 against Kentucky, Northwestern and Southern Illinois.
_Edited by George Roberson | groberson@themaneater.com_
