Iowa City, Iowa - The Missouri State women's swimming and diving team broke away from the field on day two of the Missouri Valley Conference Swimming and Diving Championships by sweeping the 500 freestyle in addition to a pair of record-breaking performances in the 200 freestyle relay and the 50 freestyle courtesy of Anna Miller. 
 
Leading the MSU sweep was Libby Howell, who won the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:46.71. The win was Howell's fifth straight in the event adding to an unblemished 13-0 record in individual events at the championships. Vera Margula swam a 4:54.19 to take second while Grace Beahan recorded a time of 4:57.43 to place third and complete the sweep for the Bears. 
 
"It was a special experience getting to swim the 500 freestyle with three other teammates in the same heat," Howell said. "We have all worked hard all year and getting to experience that race one last time was really special when you get to do it alongside your teammates. I am excited for what's to come from the team the next two days." 
 
Miller broke her own MVC and school record in the 50 freestyle by taking first with a blistering 22.08. Miller has now won three consecutive golds in the event at MVC Championships. Rounding out the Missouri State efforts was Yuliya Zubina (23.26) in fifth, Anna Lucas (23.43) in seventh and Jordan Wenner (23.48) in eighth.  
 
"I am so proud of how we competed today," Miller reflected. "We really stepped up and put up some great times. I was really excited to win the 50 freestyle with a personal best and new MVC record, and it was especially sweet to do it swimming next to three of my teammates." 
 
The Bears won the 200 freestyle relay courtesy of Miller, Yuliya Zubina, Jordan Wenner and Anna Lucas swimming a 1:31.19, as they shattered the old MVC record by nearly half a second.  
 
"I'm so proud of the relay and how we came together," Lucas said. "It was an incredible moment and I am so happy I got to be a part of it."
 
At the completion of day two, the Bears have tallied 321 points and currently have a 140-point lead over second-place UNI. 

Kelly Sego paced the MSU efforts in the 200 IM by swimming a personal-best 2:03.12 to finish fourth while Sami Roemer followed in sixth place with a time of 2:03.93. 
 
Adriana Avila had a strong showing in the 1-meter diving finals with a career-best mark of 216.60 to finish in fourth place. Hailey Rissinger followed in eighth place with a career-best score of 227.35, while Courtney Stanbury posted a career-best 228.55 to finish 10th. 
 
"I am very proud of my performance tonight," Avila stated. "I not only got a personal record but also my highest finish at conference since being a Bear. I am also unbelievably proud of Hailey and Courtney for their career highs tonight. Our team is in a great place both mentally and physically, and I'm so excited to see what else we are capable of." 
 
Highlights of the morning preliminary round included an impressive showing in the 500 freestyle preliminaries where MSU took the first through third positions with Howell leading the way (4:52.97), followed by Margula (4:55.75) and Beahan (4:58.67). Miller also won the 50 freestyle preliminary with a time of 23.39.

The MVC Championships will continue tomorrow with preliminary events starting at 11 a.m. and the finals beginning at 6 p.m. Tomorrow's schedule includes the 100 butterfly, 400 IM, 200 freestyle, 100 breaststroke, 100 backstroke, and 3-meter diving. 

For all the latest information on the Missouri State swimming and diving team, visit?missouristatebears.com?or follow?@MoStateSwim?on Twitter. 


Team Standings (through 7 of 19 events)

1.	Missouri State	321
2.	UNI	181
3.	Illinois State	177
4	Evansville	150
5	SIU	141
6	Indiana State	137
7	Little Rock	131
8	Valparaiso	46