Feb. 18, 2009
COLUMBIA, Mo. - For the first time since the 2002-03 season, the Missouri swimming program swept both of the Big 12 Swimmer of the Week awards. Junior Martin Cernansky was named Swimmer of the Week for the men, while sophomore Lauren Lavigna claimed the honors on the women's side. It marks the first time that either Tiger has claimed the award.
Lavigna snatched up a medal of her own at the Grand Prix, along with two victories and a runner-up finish the week before against conference foe Nebraska. At Nebraska, Lavigna finished second in the 200 free, touching at 1:53.59. The backstroke specialist took first in the 200 back, racing in 2:00.91, and also led off the first place-finishing 400 medley relay squad, posting a split of 56.97 to help the Tigers win the race. At the Grand Prix, Lavigna posted a 200 meter backstroke time of 2:13.79, which converts to 1:54.66 SCY, to help her claim the silver medal. Her SCY conversion also gave her an NCAA “B” cut provisional time.
Cernansky earned two medals at the 2009 Missouri Grand Prix, taking the silver in the 200 meter breast and the bronze in the 100 meter breast, while also setting a new personal best. His time of 1:02.98 in the 100 breast converts to 53.91 SCY, while his 200 breast time of 2:15.31 converts to 1:56.10 SCY. Both conversions were NCAA “B” cut provisional times.
The Tigers will return to action beginning next Wednesday with the 2008 Big 12 Championships, held at the Mizzou Aquatic Center.
