Southern Illinois University
Missouri
Men's Swimming & Diving Victorious Over Missouri
11/08/2003 | 12:00:00 | Swimming & Diving
Nov. 8, 2003
By Josh Magill
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The men's swimming and diving team upset regional foe Missouri for the first time in eight seasons Saturday morning by a score of 171-129. The win was the second in as many meets for the Salukis this season.
"This is a huge victory for us," head coach Rick Walker said. "To come back and win after this many years is great."
SIU returned the favor this season after losing to Missouri last season by just 18 points. The Tigers placed first in just six of the 16 events during the meet. The Salukis finished the meet in style as they sat 29 points ahead of their opponent going into the last event. Though it was not mathematically possible for SIU to lose the meet, the Salukis would close out the dual with first and second place finishes in the 200-yard Freestyle relay to seal the victory.
Leading the way for SIU were juniors Marcelo Possato and Jason Sigler, as well as sophomore Adam Gangl, each of whom won two events for the Salukis. Possato grabbed wins in both the 100 and 200-yard backstroke, clocking in at 50.71 and 1:49.97, respectively. Both times are a season best for Passato.
Sigler finished first in the 500 and 1000-yard freestyle distance events, and set season bests in both. His time of 4:37.27 in the 500 Free is also a career best. Gangl stepped up in the 100 and 200-yard butterfly to earn wins. His time of 50.81 in the 100 Fly sets a new season best for the Salukis, as does his time of 1:54.60 in the 200 Fly.
"This (win) confirms the quality of our team and our program," Walker said.
Other winners for SIU were seniors Edoardo Daelli in the 200 Free (1:40.56) and Derek Helvey in the 400-yard individual medley (4:02.09), as well as sophomore Sakis Lambrou in the 50 Free (21.26).
SIU will return to action next weekend in a dual meet at home against Drury University. The meet is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. at the Student Rec. Center pool. Results can be found on the team's official website at www.SIUSalukis.com.
