COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri State men's and women's swimming and diving teams earned 24 top-five performances as well as numerous top-10 finishes at the 11^th annual Show-Me Showdown Friday afternoon at the Mizzou Aquatics Center.

The Missouri State men's team recorded 511.5 points in a second-place outing, finishing behind host Missouri (635.5) and in front of Lindenwood (399.5). The women's team finished the meet with 265 points, earning a fifth-place finish behind the Missouri Tigers, who scored 717 points, Lindenwood (413), Washington University (344.5) and Saint Louis (311.5).

"Starting off the season at the Show-Me Showdown is always really fun because we get to swim against all the schools in the state, so there is some tough competition," said senior captain CeCe Etter. "With only 11 girls competing in Columbia, I can confidently say that we came together, swam our best and had some great times to show it. I am really excited about how the team has been training and I can't wait to see all that we accomplish."

"I feel really confident with where we are as a team this early in the season," junior Will Brand said. "I thought everyone did an awesome job, even after a hard week of training. It makes me excited for the meets to come."

The Missouri State men's team recorded 17 top-five performances featuring first place outings from sophomore Artur Osvath and freshman Antonio Thomas. Osvath, fellow-sophomores Minki Kang and Michael Mollak, freshmen Samuel Senn and McClay Hartsfield along with two Bear relay teams earned second-place finishes.   

"This men's group had a lot of fun today and put up some very good times for early October," head swimming and diving coach Dave Collins said. "I enjoy watching them feed off of each other and race hard. They have trained extremely well so it was good to see it come together today."

Osvath led the Bears with a first-place finish in the 100 butterfly (48.94), second-place finish in the 100 breaststroke (55.61) as well as a second and third-place showing in two Bear relays.

Freshman Antonio Thomas kicked off his collegiate career with first-place finish in the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:35.75, edging fellow-Bear Minki Kang by .01 seconds.

"These guys bring out the best in each other," Collins added. "They battle in the distance lane during practice and it showed today. Having such a dynamic 1-2 punch in the distance events will be a very big advantage for us moving forward."

Another freshman who had stellar performances was Samuel Senn, who finished second in the 50 free with a time of 21.04 as well as placing second in the 100 free in 46.95.

"To grab two second place finishes in the 50m and 100m, which are usually dominated by upperclassmen, is a heck of a way to start a college career," Collins said. "He will be fun to watch this year."

Despite a fifth-place result, the Missouri State women's team claimed four, top-five spots and multiple top-10 finishes. Anna Bump was the women's top performer, who finished third in the 100 breast with a time of 1:07.96.

"There was a lot of good energy today," Bump said. "The women's team had to make up some ground for the girls who are swimming in our invitational tomorrow. Personally, I'm very proud of my 3^rd place finish in my 100m breaststroke despite being sick. I know that my hard work will pay off."

Other top women's performances include sophomore Hope Ernhart, who finished fourth in the 50 free (24.37), a fifth place finish in the 100 breast from senior Briana Horozewski (1:09.97) as well as freshman Peyton Smith, who began her collegiate diving career with a fourth place finish in the 1-Meter diving with a total of 198.05 points. The women's relay teams were highlighted by a sixth-place finish by Ernhart, Bump, Moriah Moore, and Shawna Elsey in the 400 free relay.

"I was pleased with the approach and mindset of the 11 ladies that competed today," Collins added. "We had some good early season times and it was great to see the freshmen race for the first time as Bears."
 
Top Five Performances – Men
First Place

• 100 Fly – Artur Osvath, 48.94
• 500 Free – Antonio Thomas, 4:35.75

Second Place

• 50 Free – Samuel Senn, 21.04
• 100 Free – Samuel Senn, 46.95
• 100 Breast – Artur Osvath, 55.61
• 200 Free – Michael Mollak, 1:41.09
• 500 Free – Minki Kang, 4:35.76
• 200 Freestyle Relay – Bolman, Brand, Senn, Osvath, 1:23.89
• 400 Freestyle Relay – Bolman, Brand, Douglas, Mollak, 3:07.54
• 1-Meter Diving – McClay Hartsfield, 271.15 points

Third Place

• 100 Breast – Phillip Willett, 56.82
• 200 Free – Kacper Cwiek, 1:41.73
• 200 Medley Relay – T. Heye, Theunissen, Osvath, Senn, 1:32.57

Fourth Place

• 100 Free – 46.98
• 100 Breast – Nicholas Theunissen, 57.31
• 200 IM – Phillip Willett, 1:51.76
• 3-Meter Diving – McClay Hartsfield, 237 points

Fifth Place

• 100 Free – Will Brand, 47.06
• 100 Back – Thomas Heye, 51.37
• 500 Free – Ethan Bresette, 4:40.07

 
Top Five Performances – Women
Third Place

• 100 Breast – Anna Bump, 1:07.96

Fourth Place

• 50 Free – Hope Ernhart, 24.37
• 1-Meter Diving – Payton Smith, 198.05 points

Fifth Place

• 100 Breast – Briana Horozewski, 1:09.97

 
Next Up For The Bears
The Missouri State men's team finished the Show-Me Showdown in second-place with 511.5 points and the women's team placed fifth with 265 points. The Missouri State women's swimming and diving team returns to Springfield on Saturday, Oct. 8 for its first annual Missouri State Invitational at Hammons Student Center. The Invitational features two sessions with session one beginning at 10 a.m. Session two is slated for 4 p.m. For more information on the Missouri State men's and women's swimming and diving program visit www.missouristatebears.com or on Twitter (MoStateSwim).