The Texas Christian University men’s swimming and diving team logged an historic victory today as it defeated crosstown rival Southern Methodist University, 177.5 to 122.5. Full results available here.
It all began with a romp in the 200 medley relay. Hosts TCU (Cooper Robinson, Ford Story, Adam Szilagyi, and Anthony McMurry) combined for 1:32.22 which was nearly three seconds faster than their SMU guests (Braeden Newton, Matthew Napier-Jameson, Ramom Melo, and Ryan Koops).
In the 1000 the TCU Horned Frogs continued to show the SMU Mustangs how serious they were: Thor Stenfjord (9:37.65) and Michael Franz went 1-2, leaving a half pool length between them and their SMU competitors Eastman Holloway and Gabo Andonie.
TCU sophomore McMurry took it out fast and hung on to win the 200 free in 1:41.66. SMU’s Matt Roney’s charge on the final 50 was impressive but not quite enough to catch McMurry and he finished .16 back in second. Sebastian Arispe of TCU was third.
The home team picked up more points with another 1-2 finish. This time it was the 100 back and sophomore Szilagyi touched out his teammate Robinson 49.64 to 49.76 for the win. SMU senior Newton finished third.
In the 100 breast it was Story of TCU out in front of the two Mustangs Julian Fletcher and Napier-Jameson. Story’s 57.02 was 1.2 seconds ahead of his time at last year’s meet.
Seniors Luiz Azarias (1:50.69) and Ryker Saunders of TCU went first and third in the 200 fly. Thanks to a tremendous back half, Tyler Rauth of SMU came back from being down .60 at the 100 and got his hand on the wall just .19 in front of Saunders for second.
Melo (21:10) and Koops (21.25) of SMU chipped away at the Horned Frogs’ lead with a 1-2 finish in the 50 free. TCU’s Corey Nix, Ryan Wilcox and Garrett Hills weren’t far behind.
The Mustang divers made up a little ground on the Horned Frogs. In 1-meter diving they finished 1-2-4 with Devin Burnett (402.60), Hayden Hodges, and Parker Meinecke. TCU’s Ricky Bradley and Curtis Muller were third and fifth.
The 100 free was extremely tight; the top five scorers all finished within .40 of one another. SMU’s Koops was out first and able to hang on to win in 46.74. Second place went to TCU’s McMurry, .07 behind the leader. Tied for third and .18 back from McMurry were Melo of SMU and Nix of TCU.
TCU made up for the last couple of events with a 1-2-3 sweep in the 200 fly. Szilagyi led the way for the Horned Frogs with 1:48.81. His teammates Robinson and Joshua Mangus were second and third, respectively.
TCU freshman Hills took the 200 breast in 2:06.23. Fletcher of SMU took second with a last-50 that was 1.2 seconds faster than that of third-place John Remetta of TCU. Trailing by 1.21 at the 150, Fletcher ended up .04 in front of Remetta.
Thor Stenfjord of TCU won the 500 with 4:36.88. He swam a steady race, just slightly behind SMU’s Holloway who led through the 350. Stenfjord pulled even with him at the 400 and then powered through the last 100 to finish 3 seconds in front. Through all this TCU’s Franz had been about 3 seconds behind the two leaders. He, too, put his legs into the last 100, going 54 and edging out SMU’s Holloway by .30 to give the Horned Frogs a 1-2 finish.
Azarias picked up his second win with a 50.91 in the 100 fly. Rauth (SMU) and Saunders (TCU) were again up on the podium with him but this time they shuffled the order: Rauth was second; Saunders, third.
Burnett and Hodges of SMU again led the field in diving; they finished 1-2 in the 3-meter dive. Bradley of TCU took third.
TCU took the top three slots in the 200 IM. Szilagyi got the win in 1:55.54; he was followed by teammates Remetta and Robinson.
And with that TCU had defeated its cross-town rivals SMU, for the first time in program history. The final event had yet to swim but the Horned Frogs didn’t need any more points; all their relays swam exhibition. The SMU foursome of Roney, Melo, Gibson, and Koops, picked up the W over their teammates Hook, Rauth, Andriunaitis, and Holloway.
Final score Texas Christian 177.5 – Southern Methodist 122.5
TCU and SMU return to action on November 21 when they each travel to College Station, Texas to compete in the Texas A&M Invitational.
I don’t think the outcome was ever in question…TCU has freaking Thor on their side!!!!
Congratulations Richard! Great Job!!!!
I was there. Good Meet. Exciting for TCU. Extra CHARGE in the air when a rival goes down after so many previous defeats.