Southern Illinois University
Southwest Missouri State
Swimming & Diving Teams Sweep SMS Saturday
01/22/2005 | 12:00:00 | Swimming & Diving
Jan. 22, 2005
By Lou Antoine
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The SIU men's and women's swimming and diving teams each won four of the first five events and went on to sweep MVC rival SMS in dual meets on Saturday at the SIU Rec Center Pool. The men beat the Bears 139-104, while the women won 135-106.
"Anytime you can beat your rival it makes you feel good," said a happy Rick Walker, SIU head coach. It was a good win for our teams."
The Saluki women (4-4) beat SMS in a dual meet for the first time in four years, much to the delight of Walker, coaching the women for the first time in the rivalry.
"I'm elated for the women. This has been a long time coming and I think it will give us some momentum heading to the conference meet. We're still chasing the two-time defending MVC champs (SMS), and this doesn't guarantee anything for the MVC Championships, but we were the better team today," added Walker.
Sophomore Nora Bunford won the 200-yard individual medley (2:09.87) and the 200-yard breaststroke (2:21.59) to lead the women. The Salukis also picked up wins from junior Briley Bergen in the 1000-yard freestyle with a season-best 10:23.08 and sophomore Gabriela Flores in the 200-yard butterfly (2:06.63).
The senior class was well represented with wins by Natalie Kenny in the 200-yard freestyle (1:54.74), Rachel Green in and 50-yard freestyle (career-best 24.51) and Ashley MacCurdy in the 200-yard backstroke (2:08.24). The women won eight of 13 events including the 400-yard medley relay (3:57.66).
The Saluki men (5-5) won their second straight dual meet behind junior Jason Sigler and freshman Antonio Santoro, claiming seven of 13 events on the day, including a 15-2 score in the opening 400-yard medley relay (3:24.62).
"I'm a little surprised. We did a lot of soul-searching to win today. It came down to tactics and things paid off for us today. I feel good about our direction, but we still have a lot of work to do," stated Walker.
For the second straight week, Sigler dominated the distance events, winning the 500 (4:38.73) and 1000-yard freestyle (9:35.50), while Santoro claimed the 200-yard freestyle (1:40.59) and 200-yard butterfly (1:50.33) once again.
Sophomore diver Ben Palacios won for the second straight week, picking up his first 1-meter dive win with a career-high 258.15 points, and Marcelo Possato won the 200-yard backstroke (1:48.31).
Although the Salukis pulled off a sweep, Walker remains wary of their rival, SMS.
"We respect them and they'll come back more prepared and determined for the MVC Championship and Invitational and so will we," said Walker.
Prior to the season ending meets, the Salukis host MVC foe Evansville on Feb. 5, before hosting the season-ending MVC Championship and MVC Invitational on Feb. 17-19.
