RESULTS
 
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Missouri State swimming and diving team finished fourth and welcomed three new school records at the Shamrock Invitational, hosted at the campus of Notre Dame on Saturday, Jan. 28.
 
Host Notre Dame claimed the meet with 1192.5 points, followed by Wisconsin (1007), Grand Canyon (721) and Missouri State (514.5).
 
"This was a good meet for us to focus on some final details as we prepare for the Mid-American Conference Championships," head coach Dave Collins said. "There is great competition from the Big Ten and Atlantic Coast Conference."
 
Collectively, the Bears brought in 17, top-10 finishes and the Missouri State "A" relay went 7-8-9 in the three relays of the day.  
 
Sophomore Phillip Willett reigned in a fifth-place finish in the 400-yard individual medley, followed by Ethan Bresette who finished ninth in 4:03.92. Team captain Preston Selby, Thomas Heye and Kacper Cwiek all boasted top-10 times in their respective events.
 
"Watching this team is incredible because no matter who we race against, everyone gives it their all," Selby said. "It is late in the season and everyone is tired, but we had guys swimming lifetime bests. Our minds are where they need to be going into the conference championships."
 
Four Bears – Artur Osvath, Nicholas Theunissen, Uldis Tazans and Willett – snagged top-10 finishes in the 100yd breaststroke. Osvath, who touched the wall in a first-place time of 53.31 seconds, set a new career best along with a new program record in the event. Theunissen, Tazans and Willett followed, placing third, fourth and sixth, respectively.
 
Similarly, in the 200yd breast, Osvath earned his second crown as well as broke his second school record of the day. This time, the sophomore broke his own school record after recording a time of 1:54.17. Osvath set Rolfs Aquatic Center pool records in both the 100 and 200yd breast.
 
"Artur continues to amaze us," Collins said. "To swim the sixth best time in the country unshaved is jaw dropping." I think finishing one spot out of scoring position at NCAAs has really motivated him."
 
Kicking off session three, Missouri State's distance swimmers dominated the 1650yd free. Antonio Thomas earned his second victory of the season in the event as he recorded a time of 15:05.16. Breaking down the splits, the freshman improved his own school record in the 1000yd free to 9:05.39 and set the pool record in the mile.
 
Kang, the runner-up in the 1650yd free, shaved six seconds off his personal best and moved from fourth to third on the Missouri State all-time list when he touched the wall in 15:12:17.
 
"I am very pleased with Antonio and Minki," Collins added. "They have been really grinding in training and have been challenging each other. Then on race day, they work together for a 1-2 finish. Antonio broke the 1000 team record on the way out and Minki swam a lifetime best. This is a great sign for them moving forward."
 
OVERALL RESULTS

1. Notre Dame – 1192.5
2. Wisconsin – 1007
3. Grand Canyon – 721
4. Missouri State – 514.5

 
Coming Up For The Bears
Having wrapped up the regular season, the Missouri State men's next competition will take place at the Mid-American Conference Championships in Carbondale, Ill., on March 1-4. Action at the championship meet is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Mar. 1. For more information on the Missouri State swimming and diving team, visit www.missouristatebears.com or Twitter (@MoStateSwim).