CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Missouri State women's swimming and diving team wrapped up its fifth-straight MVC Championship on Friday, courtesy of a 929.5-point meet performance. 
  
It marked the 13^th conference title in 14 years for the Bears who have also won 17 of the last 19 MVC championships dating back to 2002. The Bears 381 point margin was the best in program history. 
  
Anna Miller was named the MVC swimmer of the year with her three-win performance, setting MVC records across all events. Dave Collins was named swimming coach of the year while Jim Hueslkamp was named diving coach of the year. 
 
"The smiles mean the most," Collins reflected. "They tell the story of all the work, effort, struggle and commitment this year. The trophies and awards are great, but nothing compares to seeing your athletes jaws drop after realizing how fast they swim. They worked hard for these memories and deserve every ounce of success they had this week." 
  
Following the Bears in the standings was Southern Illinois with 548.5 points, followed by third-place Indiana State with a 475.50 total. Illinois State grabbed fourth (444) while UNI (344) completed the top-five. Evansville (328.5), Little Rock (318), and Valparaiso (117) rounded out the remaining Valley competitors. 
  
Missouri State had nine swimmers qualify for the A finals in the final preliminary round on Friday morning. In the 200 backstroke prelims, Vera Margula paced the Bears by clocking a 2:00.56 to finish third. Madison Brown finished fifth (2:00.67) and Kellie Fischer followed in sixth (2:00.86) to qualify for the finals. In ninth-place was Sydney Radloff (2:02.53) while Ainsley Krug finished 17th (2:04.71). 
  
Miller had another record-breaking performance as the St. Louis, Mo., product won the 100 freestyle prelims in a pool record time of 49.30. Also qualifying was Jordan Wenner in fourth (51.31) and Anna Lucas in eighth (52.02). Rounding out the Bears were Ulyana Zubina (52.08, 10th) and Hannah Amelung (52.92, 17th). 
  
Missouri State closed out the preliminary round on a high note as all three Bears qualified in the 200 breaststroke. Alessia Puleo and Cabrini Johnson both found spots on the podium as Puleo finished second in 2:16.41 while Johnson swam a 2:17.58 to take third. Yuliya Zubina followed in eighth place with a time of 2:18.28. 
  
In the 3-Meter diving finals, Ashley Yarbrough posted a 254.30 mark to finish second while Dayana Popa grabbed the bronze with a score of 245.40. Following Yarbrough and Popa was Adriana Avila in fifth (222.45) and Hailey Rissinger in eighth (173.55). 
 
"Every team in the MVC worked so hard this season and it was exciting to compete against such respectable teams," Yarbrough stated. "Finishing my college career alongside three of my teammates in the 3-Meter final and for the Bears to win conference all four of my years in college was an absolute dream. "I could not have asked for a better ending to my career." 
 
"It was a great finish to the end of the season," MVC Diving Coach of the Year Jim Huelskamp said. "To have all four girls make the A Finals on the 3-meter boards and have my seniors finish second and third on both boards was a lot of fun to watch.  I could not have been happier for Dayana and Ashley. I'm so proud to be their coach." 
  
The Bears were also dominant in the 1650 freestyle finals as they swept the 1-4 spots. Libby Howell won the event in 16:43.08 while Margula followed in second at 16:45.30. Finishing out the sweep for MSU was Sam Hietpas in third (16:45.96) and Grace Beahan in fourth (16:54.24). 
 
With the win, Howell became the first swimmer in MVC history to go a perfect 12 for 12 in individual events throughout her career at the championships.  
 
"It is truly an honor to be able represent Missouri State swimming, and have the opportunity to win 12 individual medals," Howell acknowledged. "The experience is something I will never forget and will always pride myself on. I am so lucky to be a part of such an amazing team." 
  
Brown was the lone Bear on the podium in the 200 backstroke finals, swimming a 2:00.23 to finish third. Margula was right behind in fourth (2:00.78) while Fischer followed in sixth (2:03.07). Completing the MSU efforts was Radloff in 13th (2:03.62) and Krug in 18th (2:05.17). 
  
In the 100 freestyle finals, it was Miller time again, as she won the event in a school, pool and MVC record of 48.66. Wenner joined Miller in the top-five by swimming a 51.33 to finish fifth while Lucas followed in seventh (52.42). Ulyana Zubina took 12th (52.27) and Hannah Amelung came in 24th (53.79). 
 
"I am so incredibly proud of our team's performances this week," Miller stated.  "We have trained long and hard for this moment and it is a great feeling to be able to celebrate all the hard work. There are no other girls I would rather share this moment with and I am so proud to be a Bear." 
  
Southern Illinois' Miroslava Zaborska continued to be the lone thorn in the Bears' side as she won the 200 breaststroke finals in 2:12.96 to edge out Puleo who clocked a 2:14.03. Johnson nabbed the last spot on the podium, with a time of 2:14.77. Yuliya Zubina followed in sixth place by clocking a 2:18.03. 
  
Missouri State made the most out of its final event in the 400 freestyle relay as Roemer, Howell, Wenner and Miller were victorious with a school, pool and MVC record time of 3:20.52. 
  
Howell and Miller finished their careers with 23 and 20 MVC gold medals, respectively. 
   
The MVC Championship concludes the Missouri State University swimming and diving season.