Junior Chelsea Dirks-Ham (Lawrence, Kan.) has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Swimmer of the Week for Oct. 25-31.  This marks the second consecutive week that a Missouri State swimmer has won the award.

In Missouri State's first home dual against Drury University on Oct. 31, Dirks-Ham paced the Bears with her strong performances in both her individual events and the relays.  On the individual side, Dirks-Ham led the Bears in the 200 yard freestyle with her time of 1:54.28 and the 200-yard backstroke with a time of 2:05.77.  Both of those times are Valley bests for 2009-10.  Dirks-Ham also swam the butterfly leg of the 400-yard medley relay, which took first.  Her time in the 100-yard butterfly split of the relay was 57.90, which is also a Valley best for the season.

Dirks-Ham and the Bears return to the pool on Friday, Nov. 6 at 6:00 p.m. when they take on cross-state rival Lindenwood University.  The meet will take place at the Hammons Student Center Pool.