EVANSVILLE, Ind. - Just like last season, the Missouri State women's swimming & diving team opened the first day of the MVC Championships by winning both relay events. The Bears ended Day 1 with a new conference record in the 800-yard freestyle relay, breaking a record the team set at the MVC championship meet two years ago.

The Bears started the championship festivities with a bang in the 200-yard medley relay to begin the opening night. Missouri State secured its fourth straight title in the event after Southern Illinois was called for a false start, erasing what would have been an MVC record time. Freshman Caitlyn Friebe, senior Cabrini Johnson, senior Samantha Roemer and fifth-year senior Jordan Wenner put together an MVC-season best time of 1:39.40 to ultimately take the win.

The 200 medley time was just .8 seconds off the overall MVC record set by the Bears in 2022. Roemer was also a part of that record-breaking swim.

"That was a really good start for us," Roemer said. "I was super excited, super pumped. I think the confidence is really high and the energy was really high. It was just great to get out there and race the first night. We are only getting started."

Missouri State capped off the night in style with an MVC record-breaking performance in the 800 freestyle relay, clocking in a blazing 7:12.19 to beat the previous record by 1.9 seconds. Sophomore Lana Janson led the Bears to an early lead right off the blocks. Senior Lily DeSpain and sophomore Ainsley Jenkins kept the competition far enough for senior Anna Lucas to seal the deal on the title. Lucas and Roemer held the previous 800 free relay record that was set on Feb. 16, 2022 (7:14.09).

"The 800 free relay was actually really crazy," Lucas said. "I was the anchor and I remember stepping up on the block and I could just feel the energy." I was like 'Alright, I got to get this one for my team.' That's pretty much the last thing I remember until finishing. The team was going crazy. It was so special." 

Missouri State leads the field with three days of championship swimming ahead. Day 2 of the 2024 MVC Women's Swimming begins with prelims at 10:30 a.m. CT at Deaconess Aquatic Center, followed by finals at 6:00 p.m. CT. The diving portion of the meet will also commence tomorrow with the 1-meter prelims, consolations and finals. 

Standings After Day 1

1.    Missouri State - 128
2.    Indiana State - 108
3.    Illinois State - 104
4.    Little Rock - 102
5.    UIC - 100
6.    Northern Iowa - 96
7.    Evansville - 90
8.    Valparaiso - 84
9.    Southern Illinois - 54

Tomorrow's Schedule

Thursday, Feb. 22
Prelims: 10:30 a.m. CT (Watch)
- 500-yard Freestyle
- 200-yard IM
- 50-yard Freestyle
- 1-meter Diving Prelims (Watch)
- 1-meter Diving Consolation (9-16) (Watch)

Finals: 6:00 p.m. CT (Watch)
- 500-yard Freestyle
- 200-yard IM
- 50-yard Freestyle
- 1-meter Diving Finals (1-8) (Watch)
- 200-yard Freestyle Relay