Women’s Swimming & Diving Picked Second in Pre-MVC Championship Poll
February 15, 2024 | Swimming and Diving
SPRINGFIELD - The seven-time defending Missouri Valley Conference champion Missouri State women's swimming & diving team was picked to finish second in the 2024 Pre-Championship Poll voted on by league coaches, the conference announced Thursday afternoon ahead of the championship meet starting on Wednesday, Feb. 21.
Indiana State, last year's MVC runner-up, earned two more points (76) and the same number of first-place votes as the Bears (4). After Missouri State (74 points), Southern Illinois comes in third in the poll with 65 points and one first-place vote. Following the Salukis are Illinois State (52 points), Northern Iowa (47 points), UIC (32 points), Little Rock (30 points), Evansville (18 points) and Valparaiso (11 points).
"This poll shows the expectation of a very competitive championship meet which we have been preparing for all season," head coach Dave Collins said. "Nothing changes within our system. I am confident that we are ready to perform and put ourselves in contention for a title on Saturday night."
The Bears are seeking its eighth straight conference championship, which would match the program's record streak of titles from 2008 to 2015. Missouri State has won 19 championships over the last 21 years. Last season, the Bears scored a record 1,326 points to bring home Collins' 11th championship as head coach.
Missouri State most recently won the UIC/NCC Invitational in Chicago last month in a competition that included fellow MVC teams UIC and Evansville.
The 2024 MVC Swimming & Diving Championship takes place from Wednesday, Feb. 21 to Saturday, Feb. 24 at Deaconess Aquatic Center in Evansville, Indiana.
2024 MVC Swimming & Diving Pre-Championship Poll
1. Indiana State – 76 points (4 first-place votes)
2. Missouri State – 74 points (4 first-place votes)
3. Southern Illinois – 65 points (1 first-place vote)
4. Illinois State – 52 points
5. Northern Iowa – 47 points
6. UIC – 32 points
7. Little Rock – 30 points
8. Evansville – 18 points
9. Valparaiso – 11 points
Indiana State, last year's MVC runner-up, earned two more points (76) and the same number of first-place votes as the Bears (4). After Missouri State (74 points), Southern Illinois comes in third in the poll with 65 points and one first-place vote. Following the Salukis are Illinois State (52 points), Northern Iowa (47 points), UIC (32 points), Little Rock (30 points), Evansville (18 points) and Valparaiso (11 points).
"This poll shows the expectation of a very competitive championship meet which we have been preparing for all season," head coach Dave Collins said. "Nothing changes within our system. I am confident that we are ready to perform and put ourselves in contention for a title on Saturday night."
The Bears are seeking its eighth straight conference championship, which would match the program's record streak of titles from 2008 to 2015. Missouri State has won 19 championships over the last 21 years. Last season, the Bears scored a record 1,326 points to bring home Collins' 11th championship as head coach.
Missouri State most recently won the UIC/NCC Invitational in Chicago last month in a competition that included fellow MVC teams UIC and Evansville.
The 2024 MVC Swimming & Diving Championship takes place from Wednesday, Feb. 21 to Saturday, Feb. 24 at Deaconess Aquatic Center in Evansville, Indiana.
2024 MVC Swimming & Diving Pre-Championship Poll
1. Indiana State – 76 points (4 first-place votes)
2. Missouri State – 74 points (4 first-place votes)
3. Southern Illinois – 65 points (1 first-place vote)
4. Illinois State – 52 points
5. Northern Iowa – 47 points
6. UIC – 32 points
7. Little Rock – 30 points
8. Evansville – 18 points
9. Valparaiso – 11 points
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