The Missouri State men's and women's swimming and diving teams have dominated the Delta State University Christmas Invitational from start to finish. The women's team won the meet with 974 points, followed by Tampa (586), Ouachita Baptist (553), Delta State (456), Evansville (375), and Spring Hill College (166). The MSU men's team was the winner with 888.50 points, followed by Delta State (665), Ouachita Baptist (503.50), Tampa (478), Evansville (280), and Spring Hill College (158).

Liz Geisler had an outstanding performance at the Invitational, earning first-place wins in the 500-yard freestyle (4:56.59), 200-yard freestyle (1:51.65), and 1,650-yard freestyle (17:21.50). Geisler also set new Missouri State varsity records in the 500-yard freestyle and in the 200-yard freestyle. For her achievements, she was named Swimmer of the Meet.

Francy Palma broke the Missouri State 200-yard backstroke varsity record for the second time this season, setting the new record in a time of 2:05.04, earning her a second-place finish at Delta State. Allison Zeller and Jordan Hawkins finished third and fourth in the 200 backstroke, with times of 2:06.36 and 2:06.63, respectively.

Ericka Norgren placed first in the 100-yard freestyle in 52.29. Kyla Meuer showed her strength in the breaststroke by finishing first in the 200-yard breaststroke with a final time of 2:22.18. Andi Rojas was the winner of the 200-yard butterfly, touching the wall in 2:06.49. The MSU women's 400-yard freestyle relay team, made up of Norgren, Meuer, Hawkins and Rojas, took first-place, finishing in 3:28.99.

On the men's side, Victor Serra had a record-breaking performance in the 200-yard butterfly, finishing first and breaking the MSU varsity record in 1:48.74. The record was previously held by Michael Baima, who set it at the 2002 MVC Championships, in 1:48.97.

Seth Johnson, Matt Beasley and Eduardo Pajares tied for the title of Swimmer of the Meet. Johnson had a first-place finish in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:01.46) and in the 100-yard breaststroke (56.78). Pajares had a win in the 500-yard freestyle (4:31.32) and in the 200-yard backstroke (1:48.03). Beasley had a first-place finish in the 200-yard IM (1:49.48) and in the 200-yard freestyle (1:38.05).

Ryan Bullock earned a victory in the 1,650-yard freestyle, finishing in 15:50.76. Ignacio Gayo, Beasley and Mitch Richards finished second, third, and fourth in the 100-yard freestyle, in times of 45.51, 45.74 and 45.79, respectively. The Bears' men's 400-yard freestyle relay team swam to a victory in a time of 3:00.39.

The Missouri State swimmers and divers will be back for their first appearance of 2006, when they compete against the University of Missouri at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14, at Hammons Student Center Pool.