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 222.5 team points and the Bears are close behind with 206 points. Illinois State is in third after the first day with 161.5 points, followed by Northern Iowa in fourth with 107 points and Evansville in fifth with 96 points.
Junior Jordan Hawkins set a new SIU pool record in the 50 free, capturing first-place with a time of 23.30. Hawkins was also the first leg of the second-place 400 medley relay. Fran Moody, Andi Rojas and Matana Wellman made up the rest of the relay and combined for a time of 3:51.58, marking a Bear record.
Senior co-captain Rojas earned gold in the 200 individual medley out-touching the competition in a time of 2:05.45. Moody captured a third-place finish in 200 individual medley, clocking a time of 2:08.07.
In the 500 free, Hilary Morrow claimed second and Katharina Voelkel took third. Morrow posted a time of 5:05.04, whileVoelkel followed close behind with a time of 5:05.33.
" We are very excited about where we are at in the meet after day one," stated assistant coach Dave Collins. "We feel like we have put ourselves in a good position to come out on top".
The MVC Championship continues tomorrow at 11 a.m. with preliminary heats of the 200 medley relay, 400 individual medley, 100 butterfly, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100, one-meter diving and the 800 freestyle relay. Finals are scheduled for 6 p.m.
