Team Scores | Results
 
SPRINGFIELD – The atmosphere was electric at Hammons Student Center as several members of the Missouri State swimming and diving team claimed individual victories in their annual homecoming meeting with crosstown rival Drury Friday night.
 
The men notched their eighth consecutive win over the Panthers with a dominating 146-91 victory. It was battle in the women's events, with Drury edging out the Bears in a tight 128-113 decision.
 
"This is always a fun and challenging meet," said head coach Dave Collins. "It always brings out some close races, and every year this meet comes down to who wins those close events and remains tough throughout the meet. I thought our effort was good and we made a lot of improvements from the previous week."
 
In the individual events, nine Bears garnered first-place ranks in their respective events. On the men's side, Artur Osvath and Lucas Paloschi each brought in two apiece, while Bryce Blattner, Antonio Thomas each nabbed one. Josie Pearson was the lone winner on the women's side in the 200 IM. Between the two squads, they combined for 34 top three finishes.
 
Diving also came up big for the Bears with Ashley Yarbrough sweeping one and three meter boards, and Michael Claunch qualified for the NCAA Zone and Diving Championships with his 325.35 points in the one meter.
 
"It feels fantastic to qualify for the zone championships," said Claunch. "I was working towards this goal last year and so far this season, and it feels good to be able to meet that goal and continue to work hard."
 
Thomas secured the Bears' first individual honor of the night in the 1000 freestyle, touching the wall at 9:23.78. Newcomer Pawel Krawczyk was milliseconds behind Thomas to finish second while Minki Kang rounded out the 1-2-3 punch for Missouri State.
 
Osvath and Paloschi would combine for the Bears next four individual wins with Paloschi sweeping the 50 and 100 yard freestyle with times of 20.86 and 45.94, respectively, and Osvath's efforts landed him the top spot in the 200 IM (1:48.75) and 200 butterfly (1:47.44).
 
"It was great to have so many alumni and fans present at today's meet," said Osvath. "I have been swimming faster in all my events, and I am happy about my progress so far this season."
 
Blattner would round out the Bears winners in the 200 backstroke, coming in at 1:52.92. He would also get third in the 200 IM to put points on the board for the Bears.
 
Pearson would tally the women's only individual win in the 200 IM with a time of 2:05.60. Along with the first place finish, she would tally two runner-up spots in the 200 breaststroke and 200 butterfly.
 
"This is definitely one of my favorite meets of the year," said Pearson. "I love seeing all of us get behind each other and the support from the alumni, parents, and fans."
 
"Josie was tough for us tonight," said Collins. "Being able to compete in three individual events, and do it well, was really special."
 
Anna Miller, Libby Howell, and Sarah Allegri would round out Missouri State's women's second place finishers. Miller came up just shy in the 50 (23.98) and 100 freestyle (52.22), Howell had key efforts in the 500 (4:57.16) and 1000 (10:14.88) freestyle. Allegri posted a time of 2:05.86 in the backstroke to come in behind her Drury opponent.
 
In the team events, Blattner, Blair Bish, Osvath, and Paloschi grabbed the top spot for the Bears in the 400 yard medley scoring a time of 3:17.78. Three out of four members would go on to get an individual win, while the fourth member earned a runner-up spot.
 
Missouri State will take a short break before returning to the pool for the Iowa Hawkeye Invitational Nov. 15-17 in Iowa City, Iowa.
 
For all the latest information on the Missouri State swimming and diving team, visit missouristatebears.com or follow @MoStateSwim on Twitter.