Crunch Time! Women’s Swimming and Diving Set for MVC Championships

Wednesday, February 15

Iowa City, Iowa

Finals: 6 p.m. (Wed.), Prelims: 10:30 a.m., Finals: 6 p.m.(Thu.-Sat.)

Missouri State University

MVC Women's Championship

Crunch Time! Women’s Swimming and Diving Set for MVC Championships

February 13, 2023 | Swimming and Diving

Watch Season Stats/Results MVC Championship Central MVC Pre-Championship Poll Schedule of Events Photo Gallery (Facebook)

By: MSU Athletics Communications

Missouri Valley Conference Championships
Dates and Times	Feb. 15 (Finals: 6:00 p.m.) \| Feb. 16-18 (Prelims: 10:30 a.m., Finals: 6:00 p.m.)
Location	Iowa City, Iowa
Site	Iowa Campus Recreation and Wellness Center
Championship Central	MVC Championship Central
Season Stats	Season Stats/Results
Live Stats	Meet Mobile
Pre-Championship Poll	MVC Pre-Championship Poll
Watch	UNI Athletics YouTube Page
Photo Gallery	Facebook Photo Gallery
Schedule of Events	Schedule of Events
Missouri State	Swimming & Diving Home Page \| Twitter \| Instagram

Meet Details
The Missouri State women's swimming and diving team heads to Iowa City, Iowa for the Missouri Valley Conference Championship. The four-day meet will take place from Wednesday through Saturday (Feb. 15-18), with finals beginning at 6 p.m. on all days and prelims starting at 10:30 a.m. on all days except Wednesday. The championships will be streamed on the UNI Athletics YouTube channel, and live results can be found on the Meet Mobile app, which is downloadable through the app store.

Order of Events
Wednesday, Feb. 15 | Finals 6 p.m.
200 Medley Relay
45-minute break (Exhibition Team Diving Event)
800 Freestyle Relay

Thursday, Feb. 16 | Prelims 10:30 a.m.
500 Freestyle
200 IM
50 Freestyle
1-Meter Prelims
1-Meter Consolation (9-16)

Thursday, Feb. 16 | Finals 6 p.m.
500 Freestyle
200 IM
50 Freestyle
1-Meter Diving (1-8)
200 Freestyle Relay

Friday, Feb. 17 | Prelims 10:30 a.m.
100 Butterfly
400 IM
200 Freestyle
100 Breaststroke
100 Backstroke
3-Meter Diving Prelims

Friday, Feb. 17 | Finals 6 p.m.
100 Butterfly
400 IM
200 Freestyle
100 Breaststroke
100 Backstroke
3-Meter Diving (9-16)
400 Medley Relay

Saturday, Feb. 18 | Prelims 10:30 a.m.
200 Backstroke
100 Freestyle
200 Breaststroke
200 Butterfly
1650 Freestyle

Saturday, Feb. 18 | Finals 6 p.m.
1650 Freestyle
200 Backstroke
100 Freestyle
200 Breaststroke
200 Butterfly
3-Meter Diving (1-8)
400 Freestyle Relay

Bear Splashes
• In the dual versus Lindenwood on Oct. 7, MSU had a first-place finisher in all but one swimming event (100-yard backstroke). The Bears defeated the Lions, 164-77.
• In the dual versus Drury on Oct. 14, MoState registered a first-place finisher in all but three swimming events (50-yard freestyle, 200-yard backstroke, 400-freestyle Relay). MSU topped the Panthers, 157-80.
• In the Missouri Valley Conference Showcase on Oct. 21-22, the women's squad finished second out of four teams at the south site. The Bears recorded season-best times in 13 events over the span of the two-day meet.
• In the tri-dual versus Miami (Ohio) and Indiana State on Nov. 4-5, Yuliya Zubina broke a MVC record in the 100-yard breaststroke, grabbing first with a time of 1:00.66 and resulting in her being named MVC Swimmer of the Week on Nov. 9. Also, during the tri-dual, the relay combination of Kelly Sego, Zubina, Sami Roemer and Jordan Wenner snagged first in the 400-yard medley relay, recording a time of 3:38.80 that broke both the MSU and MVC record. The women defeated Indiana State, 196.50-154.50, and fell versus Miami (Ohio), 205-146.
• At the Purdue Invitational on Nov. 16-18, the women's team finished fifth out of nine clubs with 275 total points. Three out of the four schools that finished above MoState were members of Power-Five conferences (Louisville, Northwestern and Purdue). In the meet, Yuliya Zubina swam for a time of 28.68 in the 50-yard breaststroke, while Cabrini Johnson recorded a time of 2:14.38 in the 200-yard breaststroke.
• In the dual versus Missouri on Dec. 3, four MSU women earned first place. Roemer took first in the 100-yard backstroke (55.90), Johnson grabbed first in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:14.93), Lily DeSpain captured first in the 500-yard freestyle (4:56.72) and Yuliya Zubina snagged first in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:02.32). The Bears fell to the Tigers, 201-96.
• In the duals versus Evansville, Bellarmine and UIC on Jan. 14., the MoState women's team swept the competition, earning first place in every meet. MSU defeated Evansville (206-72), UIC (195-103) and Bellarmine (218-43). Roemer (100-yard butterfly, 55.97; 200-yard individual medley, 2:06.37), Anna Lucas (200-yard freestyle, 1:52.61; 500-yard freestyle, 5:08.72) and Sego (100-yard backstroke, 57.76; 200-yard backstroke, 2:05.31) all earned multiple first-place finishes in individual events en route to three dual wins for the Bears.
• In the dual against Drury on Jan. 20, the Bears earned first-place finishes in 12 out-of-the 13 events. The 200-yard medlay relay team of Sego, Yuliya Zubina, Roemer and Ulyana Zubina broke a Breech Pool record in the event with a time of 1:40.12, placing first in the process. Also, Ulyana Zubina snagged first in the 50-yard freestyle (23.21), matching her all-time personal best time, and DeSpain earned first in the 500-yard freestyle (4:56.10), the best mark of any Bear in this event this season. Although the event isn't held at the MVC Championships, Vera Margula won the 1000-yard freestyle (10:08.56), putting up the fastest time of the season of any Bear in the event. In diving, Courtney Stanbury topped her personal best mark in one-meter diving action with a score of 248.03, taking first. She also won the three-meter diving event with a score of 205.50. MoState defeated Drury for the second time this season, 163-68.
• MSU is seeking its seventh-straight MVC title and 19^th since 2003. Last season, the Bears put up 889.5 points in a convincing first-place team performance which helped secure head coach Dave Collins' 10^th conference crown. Collins was also named the 2022 MVC Swimming Coach of the Year.
• MoState won 14 out of the 20 events at the 2022 championships and garnered 13 first-team All-MVC selections and seven honorable mentions. The Bears broke nine conference records during the four-day meet.
• This 2023 iteration of the MVC Championships marks the fourth hosted in Iowa City, Iowa. Missouri State has won all three previous championships (2017, 2018, 2022) hosted at this location.
• MSU enters the championships as the pre-meet favorite. The Bears received five first-place nods and 95 points in a poll of the conference's 10 head coaches.

Bears to Watch
Grace Beahan, Columbia, Mo., Senior
• 2021-22 MVC bronze medalist in 500 freestyle
• 2020-21 MVC bronze medalist in 500 freestyle
• 2019-20 MVC gold medalist in 800 freestyle relay
• 2019-20 MVC silver medalist in 500 freestyle
• 2019-20 MVC bronze medalist in 1650 freestyle
• Placed first in the 1650 freestyle (17:14.82) against Evansville, Bellarmine and UIC (1/14/23)

Lily DeSpain, Springdale, Ark., Junior
• Placed first in the 500 free (4:56.10) in the dual against Drury (1/20/23)
• Placed third in the 200 fly (2:02.11) in the tri-dual versus Miami (Ohio)/Indiana State (11/4/22)
• Placed second (4:25.08) in the 400 IM in the tri-dual versus Miami (Ohio)/Indiana State (11/5/22)
• Placed 10th in the 1650 freestyle (17:09.60) at the Purdue Invitational (11/18/22)

Samantha Hietpas, Fishers, Ind., Senior
• 2021-22 MVC bronze medalist in 1650 freestyle
• 2020-21 MVC bronze medalist in 1650 freestyle
• 2019-20 MVC silver medalist in 1650 freestyle
• All-MVC First Team (2020, 2021, 2022)
• Placed second in the 1650 freestyle (17:17.91) against Evansville, Bellarmine and UIC (1/14/23)

Ainsley Jenkins, Little Rock, Ark., Freshman
• Earned her career-best time in the 200 freestyle finals (1:51.99) at the Purdue Invitational (11/17/22)
• Placed 15th in the 1650 freestyle (17:23.97) at the Purdue Invitational (11/18/22)
• Named MVC Freshman of the Week on 11/23/22

Cabrini Johnson, Rogersville, Mo., Senior
• 2021-22 MVC gold medalist in 400 freestyle relay
• 2021-22 MVC silver medalist in 100 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke
• 2020-21 MVC bronze medalist in 200 breaststroke
• All-MVC First-Team (2021, 2022)
• Placed first in 200 breast (2:14.93) in the dual versus Missouri (12/3/22)
• Placed fifth in 200 breast finals (2:14.38) at the Purdue Invitational (11/18/22)
• Placed 23rd in the 500 freestyle finals (5:03.35) at the Purdue Invitational (11/16/22)
• Placed 11th in the 100 breast finals (1:02.81) at the Purdue Invitational (11/17/22)

Anna Lucas, Sauk Rapids, Minn., Junior
• 2021-22 MVC gold medalist in 400 freestyle relay
• 2021-22 MVC silver medalist in 200 freestyle
• 2020-21 MVC bronze medalist in 200 freestyle
• First-team All-MVC (2021, 2022)
• Placed second in the 200 free (1:49.59) in the tri-dual versus Miami (Ohio)/Indiana State (11/5/22)
• Helped the 200 free relay team that placed fifth (1:32.29) at the Purdue Invitational (11/16/22)
• Placed tied-fourth in the 100 free (51.16) in the tri-dual versus Miami (Ohio)/Indiana State (11/4/22)

Vera Margula, Szczecin, Poland, Junior
• 2021-22 MVC silver medalist in 500 and 1650 freestyles
• 2020-21 MVC silver medalist in 500 and 1650 freestyles
• All-MVC First Team (2021)
• Placed first in the 1000 freestyle (10:08.56) in the dual against Drury (1/20/23)
• Placed ninth in the 1650 free (17:05.57) at the Purdue Invitational (11/18/22)

Alessia Puleo, Cambiago, Italy, Senior
• 2021-22 MVC gold medalist in 200 breaststroke
• 2021-22 MVC bronze medalist in 100 breaststroke
• 2020-21 MVC silver medalist in 200 breaststroke
• 2019-20 MVC gold medalist in 200 breaststroke
• 2019-20 MVC silver medalist in 100 breaststroke and 400 medley relay
• All-MVC First Team (2020,2021)
• Placed 16th in the 200 breast finals (2:19.02) at the Purdue Invitational (11/18/22)
• Placed 21st in the 100 breast finals (1:04.39) at the Purdue Invitational (11/17/22)

Samantha Roemer, Bettendorf, Iowa, Junior
• 2021-22 MVC gold medalist in 400 medley and 800 freestyle
• 2021-22 MVC silver medalist in 100 butterfly
• 2020-21 MVC gold medalist in 400 medley, 400 freestyle and 800 freestyle
• 2020-21 MVC bronze medalist in the 100 butterfly
• MVC first-team (2021, 2022)
• Helped set an MSU record in the 400 medley relay (3:38.80) in the tri-dual versus Miami (Ohio)/Indiana State (11/4/22)
• Helped set a Breech Pool record in the 200 medley relay (1:40.12) in the dual at Drury (1/20/23)
• Placed first in the 100 back (55.90) in the dual versus Missouri (12/3/22)
• Placed fifth in the 100 fly finals (54.32) at the Purdue Invitational (11/17/22)
• In individual events, leads all Bears with 12 first-place finishes on the season

Kelly Sego, Batavia, Ill., Junior
• 2021-22 MVC gold medalist in 400 IM, 200 medley relay and 400 medley relay
• 2020-21 MVC bronze medalist in 400 IM
• MVC First-Team (2021, 2022)
• Helped set an MSU record in the 400 medley relay (3:38.80) in the tri-dual versus Miami (Ohio)/Indiana State (11/4/22)
• Helped set a Breech Pool record in the 200 medley relay (1:40.12) in the dual at Drury (1/20/23)
• Placed 17th in the 200 IM finals (2:03.48) at the Purdue Invitational (11/16/22)
• Placed third in the 100 back (56.34) in the dual versus Missouri (12/3/22)

Courtney Stanbury, Keller, Texas, Sophomore
• Earned first in the one-meter diving event (248.03) in the dual at Drury (1/20/23)
• Earned first in the three-meter diving event (223.27) in the dual versus Drury (10/14/22)

Jordan Wenner, Ashburn, Va., Senior
• 2021-22 MVC gold medalist in 400 freestyle relays
• 2020-21 MVC bronze medalist in 100 freestyle
• 2020-21 MVC gold medalist in 200 and 400 freestyle relays
• MVC First-Team (2021, 2022)
• Helped set an MSU record in the 400 medley relay (3:38.80) in the tri-dual versus Miami (Ohio)/Indiana State (11/4/22)
• Finished 12th in the 100 free finals (50.89) at the Purdue Invitational (11/18/22)
• Finished 18th in the 50 free finals (23.50) at the Purdue Invitational (11/16/22)
• Finished 18th in the 200 free finals (1:51.86) at the Purdue Invitational (11/17/22)

Ulyana Zubina, Gomel, Belarus, Senior
• 2020-21 MVC gold medalist in 200 medley and 200 free relays
• 2019-20 MVC gold medalist in 200 free relay
• 2019-20 MVC silver medalist in 200 medley relay
• All-MVC Honorable Mention (2022)
• All-MVC First Team (2020, 2021)
• Helped set a Breech Pool record in the 200 medley relay (1:40.12) in the dual at Drury (1/20/23)
• Earned 11th in the 50 free finals (23.21) at the Purdue Invitational (11/16/22)
• Earned 11th in the 100 fly finals (55.61) at the Purdue Invitational (11/17/22)

Yuliya Zubina, Gomel, Belarus, Senior
• 2020-21 MVC gold medalist in 100 breaststroke, 200 free relay and 400 medley relay
• 2020-21 MVC gold medalist in 400 medley relay
• 2020-21 MVC silver medalist in 100 breaststroke
• 2019-20 MVC gold medalist in 200 free relay
• 2019-20 MVC silver medalist in 200 medley relay
• All-MVC First Team (2020, 2021, 2022)
• Set MVC and MSU record in the 100 breast (1:00.66) in the tri-dual versus Miami (Ohio)/Indiana State (11/4/22)
• Helped set an MSU record in the 400 medley relay (3:38.80) in the tri-dual versus Miami (Ohio)/Indiana State (11/4/22)
• Helped set a Breech Pool record in the 200 medley relay (1:40.12) in the dual at Drury (1/20/23)
• Earned 12th in the 50 free finals (23.24) at the Purdue Invitational (11/16/22)

Up Next
• The MVC Championships conclude the 2022-23 season for the MSU women's team unless it produces an NCAA qualifier. The NCAA Women's Championships are set for March 15-18 in Knoxville, Tenn.
• The men's squad will compete in the Mid-American Championships on March 1-4 in Oxford, Ohio.

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