Two members of the Missouri State women's swimming and diving team competed in the long course open South American Championship this week, in Medellin, Colombia, as Andi Rojas and Francy Palma produced outstanding performances and brought home a total of five bronze medals and a third-place finish for the Venezuela's women's team.

Freshman Palma from Caracas, Venezuela, participated in the 50, 100 and 200 backstroke along with the 400 medley relay. She earned a bronze medal in the 200 backstroke, with a time of 2:22.98. Palma's time was just a second shy of the cut for the Pan American games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil next year. Her 200 back time was also two tenths off the Venezuela national record. Palma earned a third-place finish in the 100 back with a time of 1:07.43 and fifth-place finish in the 50 backstroke.

Sophomore Rojas from Maracay, Venezuela, participated in the 50 and 100 fly, the 400 medley relay and the 400 freestyle relay. In the 50 butterfly event, Rojas finished third with a time of 28.98, breaking the Venezuela national record. In the 100 butterfly competition, Rojas' time of 1:04.22 earned her a fourth-place finish and qualified her for the Pan American games. Rojas was also a link in the 400 freestyle relay that finished fourth.

Palma and Rojas were both members of the 400 medley relay that brought home a third-place finish.

Both Missouri State representatives qualified for the Centroamerican Games that will be celebrated this summer in Cartagena, Colombia.