ST. LOUIS – Freshman Zach Mendez received the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Freshman of the Week award on Tuesday. This comes after he showcased a stellar performance at the House of Champions Invitational three-day meet that started on Nov. 20 at the IU Natatorium, coming home with four podium finishes across individual and team events.   

Mendez was victorious in the 1650-yard freestyle with a time of 15:29.83. Mendez also teamed up with sophomore Ilias El Fallaki, senior Jack Grandy and sophomore Máté Miszlai to take gold with a time of 6:34.37 in the 800-yard freestyle relay. Mendez earned a second-place finish (4:22.74) in the 500-yard freestyle, and also earned a second-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle (1:36.44).

This tallies six total conference awards for the Bears this season.

Missouri State swimming and diving will next compete at neighboring Drury on Friday, Jan. 16 at Breech Pool.

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