Feb. 25, 2009
Results |Â
Photo Gallery 
Texas A&M senior Eric Sehn rallied to win his 10th Big 12 diving crown to highlight the Aggie men's swimming and diving team's first day at the 2009 Big 12 Championships on Wednesday at the University of Missouri Aquatic Center.
After the first day of action, the Aggies hold a narrow lead over host Missouri, 120-114, and defending champion Texas stands third with 112 points.
Already the winningest student-athlete in any sport in A&M history, Sehn had to rally from an early 37-point deficit to Texas freshman Drew Livingston, who was a finalist at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials. Sehn pulled within six points after five rounds, and then used a score of 72.0 on his sixth dive to edge Livingston, 386.95 to 383.95.
"The first day is always the hardest for me, especially since it's the one-meter," Sehn said. "(Texas freshman Drew Livingston) is very good. This was easily the biggest challenge I've ever faced at the Big 12 meet. I was behind him from the very first dive. I knew it was a long competition, and I just tried to concentrate and be more precise with my dives, which is what (diving coach) Kevin (Wright) drills into us everyday.
With Wednesday's win, Sehn remained undefeated at the Big 12 Championships after sweeping all three dives at the 2005, 2006 and 2007 conference meets. Sehn ranks in a tie for second-most career Big 12 conference titles behind Texas Tech's Sally Kipyego (track and field) and Texas' Marshevet Hooker (track and field).
"Like we said coming into this meet, Eric is a seasoned competitor and he knows how to step up in big situations," Kevin Wright said. "Eric was trailing the entire competition. Making up six points on your final dive is extremely hard. To come up with a 72.0 on your sixth dive is very impressive. Day one is over - mission accomplished."
Wright's dive crew contributed 54 points with Sehn taking first, freshman Cam McLean grabbing third (368.70), fellow freshman Bradley Berryhill taking eighth (270.05) and junior Henry Stevens finishing 10th (263.40).
In the only two swimming races of the day, the Aggies placed second in the 200-yard medley relay and third in the 800 freestyle relay. The Aggies' medley foursome of junior Jason Bergstrom, junior Casey Strange turned in a season-best and NCAA "B" cut of 1:26.80. The time makes the foursome the third-fastest relay in school history. The 800 free relay foursome of sophomore Ryan Loney and senior Shawn Clarke hit the wall in a season-best and NCAA "B" cut time of 6:33.02, which is also the third-fastest in school history.