The Missouri State men’s swimming and diving team moved to 2-0 in dual meets for the 2008-09 season, beating Evansville 60-32. On the women’s side, the meet held in Evansville, Ind. on Friday, October 24 was a double duel event. The Bears faced Valley conference competitors Evansville and Illinois State. The women topped the Aces, 64-31, but lost to Illinois State in a tight race, 53-42.
On the men’s side, the Bears captured all relay events with the help of senior Victor Serra, juniors Nicolas Villarroel and Ciro Sauaia, and sophomore Cajun Skinner in the 200 medley relay. The 200 freestyle relay was won by Villarroel, Sauaia, senior Vance Perkins, and sophomore Dillion Burns.
Freshman Bryson Cramer led the way for the Bears in the 100 and 1000 freestyle races. Cramer had times of 48.22 in the 100 free and 9:57.96 in the 1000, winning both races. The men finished one, two, three in the 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle, and 200 individual medley events. Competitors in the 200 free for the Bears included Sauaia, Skinner, and Perkins. The 100 fly was led by Villarroel with a time 50.70. He was followed by junior teammate Pat Bergin and newcomer Jeff Bentz. Sophomore Roko Simunic captured the top spot in the 200 IM with a time of 1:56.74. Senior Vic Riffel was second for the Bears and freshman Waldo Broodryk finished third.
The women’s squad captured first place in three individual events as well as the top spot in the 200 freestyle relay. Senior Jordan Hawkins, sophomore Chelsea Dirks-Ham, and juniors Breanna Hollar and Matana Wellman swam for the Bears in the relay race.
Wellman and Dirks-Ham swam a tight race in the 200 free, Wellman out-touching Dirks-Ham for first place with a time of 1:55.47. Dirks-Ham in second, finished with a time of 1:55.93. Also winning individual races for the Bears was freshman Brianna Willoughby in the 200 IM and Hawkins in the 100 free.
The Bears are at home on November 1 for a dual meet against city rival, Drury. The meet will be held in Hammons Student Center and has a scheduled start time of 5:00 p.m.
