Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Sw Missouri St
Men's Swimming & Diving Falls To SMS 126-117
01/25/2003 | 12:00:00 | Swimming & Diving
Jan. 25, 2003
Carbondale, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University men's swimming and diving team battled down to the final event before losing its final dual meet of the season to MVC rival SMS on Saturday, January 25 at the SIU Rec Center Pool.
The Saluki (3-4) men lost by nine points (126-117) after SMS (5-3) won the 400 relay to end the meet.
"I'm extremely excited that we took the meet to the final event. We weren't supposed to win and forced them to win the relay to win the meet. We just didn't have enough to finish and they had to swim their best relay of the year to win. They are the favorite for the conference meet but this will help us prepare to win the conference meet," said Rick Walker, SIU's men's coach.
SIU collected wins and career-high marks from Marcelo Possato in the 200 back (1:49.50), Adam Gangl in the 200 IM (1:53.36) and Derek Helvey in the 200 free (1:40.13). Carterville freshman Jason Sigler swam a career-best 9:28.53 in a second place finish in the 1000 free.
The SIU men will host the Missouri Valley Championships on February 20-22 at the SIU Rec Center Pool looking to claim their seventh title in the last nine years.
