courtesy UT media relations

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- No. 3 Texas finished off a dominant performance at the 2009 Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championships with a new American record in the 400 freestyle relay.

The relay of juniors Dave Walters, Ben Van Roekel, freshman Jimmy Feigen and senior Ryan Verlatti finished in 2:49.17 to eclipse the previous mark of 2:49.80 set by UT's Nate Dusing, Ian Crocker, Tommy Hannan and Jamie Rauch at the 2001 NCAA Championships. In addition, Walters broke Garrett Weber-Gale's school record in the 100 freestyle with a leadoff leg of 41.92, edging Weber-Gale's previous mark of 41.94 set at the 2007 NCAA Championships.

Texas claimed its 30th consecutive conference title with 1,114 points. Missouri took second with 810.5 points, and Texas A&M placed third with 797.5 points.

Freshman Drew Livingston collected his first conference diving title when he produced a dominant showing on the platform that produced numerous perfect 10's from the seven judges. Livingston totaled 542.95 points for first place, and sophomore Matt Cooper took second with 440.40 points.

Senior Sean Patton kicked off the evening with a victory in the 200 backstroke in 1:41.99. Freshman Hayes Johnson followed in 1:43.44, and sophomore Bryan Collins completed the Texas trifecta by taking third in 1:43.88.

Freshman Jimmy Feigen picked up his second career conference title by just edging teammate Dave Walters in the 100 freestyle. Two nights after tying Walters in the 50 freestyle finals, Feigen touched one-hundredth of a second ahead of Walters, finishing in 42.43. Sophomore Scott Jostes took third in 43.36, and senior Ryan Verlatti took fifth in 43.47. Junior Ben Van Roekel placed sixth at 43.53, and sophomore Jonathan Jackson took seventh in 43.85.

Freshman Jackson Wilcox collected his second conference title of the meet, as he claimed the 1,650 freestyle in 14:41.85. Senior Michael Klueh followed in 15:00.39. Senior Agustin Magruder captured his second consecutive conference title in the 200 breaststroke in 1:54.41. Freshman Eric Friedland followed in second in 1:56.02.

Junior Ricky Berens claimed his second consecutive conference title in the 200 butterfly, as he finished in 1:43.28. Junior Hill Taylor, a two-time champion at this meet, took second in 1:44.27. Sophomore Matt Donch placed third in 1:45.20.

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