After day one of the Missouri Valley Conference Swimming and Diving Championship, the Missouri State women's team is in a close second place to host Southern Illinois. The Salukis lead the meet with 224 team points and the Bears follow close behind with 195.4 points. Illinois State is in third after the first day with 176.5 points, followed by Northern Iowa in fourth with 123 points and Evansville is fifth with 74 points.
Sophomore Jordan Hawkins had an outstanding performance on the day, grabbing gold in the 50-yard freestyle in an NCAA provisional qualifying time of 23.42. Her time set a new MSU varsity record previously held by Allison Yates who marked a time of 23.81 at the 2004 Valley Championship. Hawkins was also the anchor leg of the winning 400-yard medley relay. Allison Zeller, Kyla Meuer and Andi Rojas made up the rest of the relay and combined for a time of 3:48.78, also marking a new Bear record.
Freshman Matana Wellman earned her first Valley Championship in the 500-yard freestyle, finishing in 5:04.73.
Andi Rojas and Kyla Meuer had a one-two finish in the 200-yard IM. Rojas took first in 2:05.73 and Meuer earned silver in 2:06.19.
The MVC Championship continues tomorrow at 10 a.m. with preliminary heats of the 200 Medley Relay, 400 Individual Medley, 100 Butterfly, 200 Freestyle, 100 Breaststroke, 100 Backstroke, 1-Meter Diving and the 800 Freestyle Relay. Finals are scheduled for 6 p.m.
