Jan. 31, 2015
Final Results (PDF) | Schedule | Follow @MoStateSwim
NOTRE DAME, Ind. - Missouri State earned victories in three races and set several season-best times as the men's swimming and diving team completed its Shamrock Invitational appearance on Saturday, Jan. 31, at Rolfs Aquatic Center.
The Bears fell to the 19th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes, 215-153, and the host Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 218-150, but defeated Incarnate Word, 261-99, in the dual-format Invite.
"I was very pleased with the way the men competed this weekend against some very good programs," head coach Dave Collins said. "This experience was exactly what we needed as we prepare for the MAC Championship."
Paul Le competed in five different races - two of which were relays - for the Bears Saturday, finishing first in the 200 back (1:45.48) and runner-up in the 100 back (48.26) and 100 fly (48.99).
Uvis Kalnins earned the first victory for the Bears of the day, placing first in the 400 IM in a time of 3:59.26. Kalnins competed in four races for MSU Saturday, swimming in two relays and finishing fourth in the 100 free (45.75).
Caleb Schuermann, Isaac Springer and Kacper Cwiek each raced in three events with top-10 finishes. Schuermann finished the 200 free in first in a top time of 1:39.45 and also had a season-best time while placing seventh in the 100 free (46.16). Springer competed in two individual races, finishing fifth in both the 100 breast (57.01) and 200 breast (2:07.19). Cwiek placed fourth in the 400 IM (4:02.78) - the second fastest MSU time this season - and seventh in the 200 fly (1:54.66)
Max Pratt competed in multiple events, earning a season-best 1:40.84 in the 200 free for runner-up honors, while also setting a personal-best time in the 1650 free (16:06.66) for sixth place. Matthew Wilson finished fourth in the 200 fly (1:52.05) and finished the 100 fly in 50.09 for a season-best time.
"The team gave a great effort from start to finish of a very tiring meet format," senior Matthew Wilson said. "It's encouraging to see how our team rises to the occasion with tough competition."
The Bears had six others that earned top-10 individual performances in Saturday's events. Garrett Nevels competed in the 3-meter dive and earned third place with 372.65 points. Miguel Davila placed fourth in the 1650 free (15:57.06) and seventh in the 400 IM (4:05.99). In the 200 back, both Jack Snow and Will Frisbie earned season-best times in the event, while Frisbie also finished with his best time in the 100 back this season. Uldis Tazans placed sixth and seventh in the 100 and 200 breast, respectively, and Ethan Bresette came in eighth in the 1650 free to round out the MSU top-10 finishes.
"Coming off of another tough week of training, the boys responded well to a talented field," senior Max Pratt said. "The Bears are headed in the right direction and I can't wait to see what the championship season brings."
The Missouri State men's swimming and diving team wrapped up its regular season Saturday with the conclusion of the Shamrock Invitational. The men's team next heads to the Mid-American Conference Championships on Wednesday, March 4, in Geneva, Ohio. The Missouri State women's swimming and diving team will head to Carbondale, Ill., for the Missouri Valley Conference Championships beginning on Wednesday, March 18.
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