Nov. 17, 2011

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Missouri State swimmer Vitalii Baryshok has been named Mid-American Conference Swimmer of the Week, the league announced Thursday in its weekly swimming & diving release. It is Baryshok's second Swimmer of the Week award and marks the third consecutive week that a Bear has garnered the MAC weekly honor.

Baryshok was honored based off of his performances last week against No. 24 Missouri. Despite falling to the Tigers, 114-183, the freshman from Lugansk, Ukraine rattled off three victories and a new pool record in the 200-yard freestyle.

Putting on a showcase in his individual events, Baryshok swept the 50, 100 and 200 free with season-best performances in each. He began the meet by breaking the seven-year-old Hammons Student Center pool record (1:38.22). His time in the 200 free leads the MAC by nearly three seconds and is ranked 10th in the nation.

Shortly after, the freshman edged out Tiger sprinter Ramom Melo by .03 seconds in the 50 free to record the Bears' second victory. To complete the sweep, Baryshok posted a 45.02 in the 100 free, which also leads the MAC and is ranked in the top-30 nationally.