Huskers Fall at No. 21 Missouri, 173-122

Columbia, Mo.? Nebraska finished the 2007-08 regular season with a 7-2 record (1-2 Big 12), as it dropped a 173-122 decision at No. 21 Missouri Saturday afternoon.

 

The Huskers were faced with a tall task in their final dual, as the nationally-ranked Tigers moved to a 12-1 (3-1 Big 12) on the year, with its lone loss coming to No. 6 Texas A&M.

 

Although Nebraska didn’t pick up a win until freshman Kelsey Grushecky’s victory in the 200-yard butterfly (2:03.19), the Huskers hung tough with Missouri through the early stages, picking up three runner-up finishes in the first five events.

 

Grushecky proved to be Nebraska’s bright spot for the day, as the West Newton, Pa., native also won the 100-yard butterfly (56.67), tying her for the team lead in wins with nine this season (also freshman Julie Giehl). With Saturday’s performances, Grushecky won at least one race in every dual meet in 2007-08 except Nebraska’s loss at Kansas.

 

Overall, the Huskers had four event wins against the Tigers, as junior Christina Yemm won the 400-yard individual medley (4:35.98) before Nebraska took the final event of the meet, the 200-yard freestyle relay, in 1:36.35, one one-hundredth of a second ahead of Missouri.

 

Junior diver Courtney Jolly had a pair of runner-up finishes on the boards, as she trailed only Missouri’s Kendra Melnychuk on the one- (259.65) and three-meter (270.15) competitions.

 

Despite the loss, the Huskers ended the regular season with at least seven dual wins for the fifth consecutive year, which NU hopes will carry momentum into the conference meet. The 2008 Big 12 Championships will be underway three weeks from now in Austin, Texas, with action starting Wednesday, Feb. 27 and concluding Saturday, March 1.