CHICAGO, Ill. - Missouri State men's and women's swimming & diving teams both claimed victory against UIC, with the men dominating 223-110, while the women won in a nail biting 178-175 on Friday and Saturday at the Flames Natatorium.
Standout Performances
On the men's side, freshman Zack Mendez set not only a personal best but a new Missouri Valley Conference-leading time in the 1650-yard freestyle (15:18.98).
On the diving board, in the one-meter competition senior Storm Opdahl won comfortably with a score of 264.98.
Senior Gonzalo Ruiz, freshman Kiefer Roemer, sophomore Jack Ailshire, and senior Lucas Chadwell secured the win in the 400-yard medley relay (3:13.81).
Sophomore Mate Miszlai also won the 400-yard individual medley (3:54.86).
In the 100-yard freestyle, Chadwell took top spot (44.59), scraping past teammate Matvei Chesakov who finished second (44.91).
Ruiz also secured first place in the 200-yard backstroke (1:46.20) just ahead of Miszlai who was the runner-up (1:46.42).
Miszlai earned another gold however in the 200-yard butterfly, (1:49.94), just three milliseconds in front of freshman Kayden Hedrick who earned silver (1:49.97).
On the women's side, freshman Aleca Howard had a standout meet winning three events. In the crucial 200-yard breaststroke she led a Bears' podium finish, taking the gold with a time of 2:19.39. Senior Olivia Sala earned the silver (2:21.59), while freshman Paige Corbin earned the bronze (2:21.67).
Howard also took out the 200-yard individual medley (2:04.94) and the 400-yard individual medley (4:26.14) highlighting her brilliant form.
Senior Mackenzie Kurre won the 50-yard freestyle (23.37) and the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 49.93, whilst anchoring two relay wins as well.
Sala, senior Lana Janson, sophomore Lillie Freulon, and Kurre claimed victory in the 200-yard medley relay (1:42.45).
In the 400-yard relay, Janson, junior Ane Meier, senior Ainsley Jenkins and Kurre won the gold with a time of 3:22.78.
Senior Evie Kolb won the 1650-yard freestyle with a personal best time of 16:57.78.
On the diving board, in the one-meter competition freshman Delaney Nickles came second with a score of 244.88 just behind Flames' Kerry-Leigh Morrison (246.60).
Both teams will conclude the 2025-26 season in Evansville, Ind., when they compete in the three-day Missouri Valley Conference Championships, starting Wednesday, Feb. 25 at the Deaconess Aquatic Center.
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