MAC Release
 
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Following a strong 2016-17 season, the Missouri State men's swimming and diving team was picked by coaches around the league to finish second in the Mid-American Conference, announced Friday.
 
MAC foe and 2017 conference champion Eastern Michigan was picked as the league favorite, bringing in four first-place votes while Missouri State followed closely behind with two first-place votes of their own. Miami (Ohio) was selected to finish third, followed by Southern Illinois, Ball State and Evansville.
 
"Regardless of what the preseason poll says, our goal remains the same each year – to win a MAC team championship," head coach Dave Collins said. "I have been pleased with our early-season training and the mindset of our student-athletes. I look forward to what should be a great season."
 
The Bears made an impressive run at the 2017 MAC Championships last season, falling by a mere point to Eastern Michigan on the final day of competition. Missouri State came away with five individual titles and dominant, first-place performance in the 800-yard freestyle relay.
 
Newcomers Antonio Thomas and Phillip Willett came away with two individual gold medals while All-American Artur Osvath conquered the 200 IM. After the conference championship meet, Osvath and Thomas made a splash at the 2017 NCAA Championships where Osvath became the second All-American in program history thanks to his record-breaking performance in the 200 breaststroke.
 
The Hungary native also competed in the 100 breast, closing out the season as No. 39 in the country. Thomas made an excellent first appearance at the NCAA Championships, finishing 44^th in the 500 free and 30^th overall in the 1650 free.
 
As a team, Missouri State broke six individual records over the course of the season. Thomas claimed the 500, 1000 and 1650 free records while Osvath topped the charts in the 100 butterfly, as well as the 100 and 200 breast.
 
Losing just three seniors from last season, the Bears bring back 18 student athletes – including All-MAC First-Teamers Kacper Cwiek, Christopher Heye, Osvath, Thomas and Willett – and welcome five newcomers to the crew.
 
The Bears kick off their 2017-18 season Friday, Sept. 29 at the Missouri Show-Me Showdown, hosted by the University of Missouri at Columbia, Mo. For all the latest information on the Missouri State swimming and diving team, visit missouristatebears.com or follow @MoStateSwim on Twitter.