Results
 
SPRINGFIELD – The Missouri State swimming and diving team impressed in the freestyle events but ultimately fell to nationally-ranked Missouri Saturday at Hammons Student Center Pool.
 
Missouri swept all relay and individual events, pulling away with team victories on the men's and women's sides. The Bears finished almost even in point totals, with the men falling 166.5-70.5 and the women 160-73.
 
"I am very proud on how they raced tough," said head coach Dave Collins. "We had great energy and support and produced some tight races against a top opponent."
 
The freestyle portion of the meet highlighted MSU's efforts, as Libby Howell, Antonio Thomas, and Samantha Hietpas picked up runner-up finishes against the top-ranked Tigers.
 
Hietpas and Thomas began the meet's long-distance events with impressive swims, each earning second-place in the 1000 freestyle. The latter provided a thrilling finish in front of an electric home crowd, gaining on his opponent late and barely missing the title mark for a time of 9:19.81.
 
"I was very happy with my performance today," said Thomas. "The entire distance crew has put in an immense amount of training and dedication, so it was nice for me and my other teammates to see positive results."
 
Howell increased the pressure on Missouri in the 200 freestyle, with less than a second separating her 1:50.45 mark from the Tiger frontrunner. In the meet's final events, Howell produced another solid performance, this time in the 500 freestyle, clocking in at 5:00.18 for second.  
 
"The energy and enthusiasm at our home pool is unmatched," said Howell. "I felt the entire team swam close and was confident which is exciting for next weekend's home meet."
 
MSU raced close with the Tigers in the remaining freestyle events, pulling in third-place points from returners Anna Miller and Pawel Krawczyk. Miller impressed in the short-distance portion, securing the Bears' frontrunner position in the 50 and 100 freestyle while Krawczyk headlined the 200 and 500 free.
 
Diving pulled in points for the Bears as Dayana Popa led the efforts with a fifth-place finish and 252.83 points on the high dive.
 
The Bears return to Hammons Student Center Pool to host conference opponent Southern Illinois on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 1 p.m.
 
For all the latest information on the Missouri State swimming and diving team, visit missouristatebears.com or follow @MoStateSwim on Twitter.