The Missouri State men’s swimming and diving team rolled past the Truman State Bulldogs with a score of 80-15 Friday at Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo. The Bears’ women’s team fell to the Bulldogs 77-18.
The MSU men went into the meet ranked 31st by College Swim Coaches Association of America weekly dual meet rankings. "Our program is ranked the highest it has been all year long," assistant coach Dave Collins stated. The MSU women were challenged by Division II national powerhouse Truman State. The Bulldogs have won seven consecutive Division II National Championships.
The men scored victories in all eleven events entered. Missouri State started off the meet with a victory in the 200 medley relay as Pat Bergin, Chris Novak, Ciro Sauaia and Roko Simunic teamed up for a time of 1: 35.63.
In the 200 free relay, Ignacio Gayo, Sauaia, Simunic, and Andy Denefe broke a Truman State Pool record with a time of 1:24.49.
Sophomore Cole McGee claimed first in the 1000 free with a personal best time of 9:59.41.
The Bears captured first and second place in the 200 free competition. Dillon Burns earned first-place with a time of 1:44.28 while Eduardo Pajares followed close behind posting a time of 1:44.47.
Pat Bergin continued his dominance in the backstroke competition capturing first with a time of 51.81 and junior Victor Riffel took first in the 400 individual medley race in a time of 4:08.69.
In the 100 fly competition, Nicolas Villarroel claimed first clocking a time of 51.82 and Gayo took second in a time of 52.10.
JR Pyle claimed first in the 500 free clocking a time of 46.18 and Novak took first in the 100 breast posting a time of 59.85.
On the women's side, freshman Katharina Voelkel captured second in the 1000 free with a time of 10:41.17.
Breanna Hollar was outtouched in the 100 fly in a time of 58.85 to finish second, followed by senior Andi Rojas who claimed third with a time of 59.01.
Both Missouri State swimming and diving teams will be back in action Saturday, Jan. 19, at Hammons Center Pool, to take on the Southern Illinois Salukis at 2:00 p.m.
