SPRINGFIELD - The Missouri State men's and women's swimming & diving teams close the regular season with a two-day meet against the University of Illinois Chicago starting on Friday, January 30 at 3:00 p.m. at the Flames Natatorium.

Bear Splashes (Women)

• The women's team overcame Drury in the Bears' latest meet, with a tough 86-81 scoreline.

Standout performances against Drury included:

• Freshman Delaney Nickles secured the Bears' win with a score of 264.75-264.53 in the decisive the 1-meter diving competition.
•  Junior Hadleigh Henslee, senior Lana Janson, sophomore Lillie Freulon and junior Makenzie Kurre claimed the 200-yard medley relay title (1:42.03).
• The 400-yard freestyle relay team of Kurre, senior Ainsley Jenkins, freshman Paige Corbin and junior Cameryn Johnson secured victory with a time of 3:24.51.
• In the 1000-yard freestyle senior Evie Kolb took top spot (10:16.90), while junior Lindsey Hervey was second (10:28.83) and senior Sophia Coleta was third (10:38.32).
• In the 100-yard freestyle the Bears secured another podium finish with Kurre taking gold (49.98), Jenkins claiming silver (51.37) and Janson getting bronze (51.56).
• Missouri State women's swimming & diving has won 20 of the last 23 Missouri Valley Conference championships and looks to return to the top spot this season after a third-place finish in 2025.

Bear Splashes (Men)

• The men's team were overpowered by Drury in the Bears' latest meet, with a close 86.5-77.5 scoreline.  
• Standout performances against Drury included:
• In the 1000-yard freestyle freshman Zach Mendez came first (9:17.36) and sophomore Ilias El Fallaki finished right behind in second (9:18.72).
• The Bears swept the podium in the 200-yard butterfly, with junior Anderson Brown winning with a time of 1:48.38. Freshman Kayden Hedrick was second (1:49.44) and senior Chris Bedsole third (1:49.57).
• On the diving board in the 3-meter competition senior claimed gold Logan Schelfaut (358.58) and classmate Storm Opdahl earned silver (330.68). 
• Missouri State men's swimming & diving is also looking to improve on a third-place finish at the MVC Championship in February. The team has won 21 conference championships in its history, including five MVC championships.

Series History vs. UIC    
·        Missouri State men's swimming & diving holds a 2-0 dual record against the Flames.
·        Missouri State women's swimming & diving holds a 2-0 dual record against the Flames.

Head Coach Dave Collins

• Missouri State swimming & diving head coach Dave Collins enters his 15th season and will look for his 13th women's conference championship and fourth men's league title. He has been named MVC Swimming Coach of the Year eight times. He was also a five-time Mid-American Conference Swimming Coach of the Year.

List of Events

Friday Jan 30th
Diving - Women's 3-Meter & Men's 1-Meter
-15 Minute Break-
400 Medley Relay
400 IM
100 Fly
200 Free
-10 Minute Break-
50 Free
100 Breaststroke
100 Back
500 Free
200 Free Relay 

Saturday 31st
Diving - Women's 1-Meter & Men's 3-Meter
-15 Minute Break-
200 Medley Relay
1650 Free
-10 Minute Break-
200 Back
100 Free
200 Breaststroke 
200 Fly
-10 Minute Break-
200 IM
400 Free Relay

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