Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Drury
Swimming & Diving teams sweep Drury in home-opener
11/12/2005 | 12:00:00 | Swimming & Diving
Nov. 12, 2005
By Matt Crouch
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University swimming & diving teams swept Drury, one of the top NCAA Division II teams, Saturday in the team's home opener. The men avenged a loss from the 2004-05 season, winning 142-96, while the women won 151-92.
The Saluki men's team (4-1) dominated the Panthers, winning 11 of the 13 events. The women's team (2-3) won nine of its 13 events.
"I was a little surprised. This was the same team that beat the men last year in a very close meet," said SIU Head Coach Rick Walker. "But, we always seem to swim pretty well in our own facility."
Leading the way for the men's team was Antonio Santoro, who is undefeated through three meets in the 200-Yard Freestyle and the 200-Yard Butterfly. The sophomore from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil swam the 200 Free in 1:41.29 and the 200 Fly in 1:51.87.
Posting a top performance on the board was sophomore Brandon Birchak as he won in both the 1-Meter Dive and 3-Meter Dive. Birchak's 3-Meter score (331.35) is more than 11 points higher than the NCAA qualifying standard.
Also winning multiple events for the men's team was senior distance swimmer Jason Sigler as he posted the top times in the 1000-Yard Freestyle (9:33.67) and the 500-Yard Freestyle (4:37.54). Both times are team-bests for the 2005-06 season.
Others winning events for the men were Stephan Ackerman (50-Yard Freestyle), Gareth McGee (200-Yard Individual Medley), Dennis Hedo (100-Yard Freestyle) and Alexandre Marrucho (200-Yard Backstroke).
McGee, Bryan Riekena, Ackerman and Hedo teamed up to win the 400-Yard Medley Relay.
For the women, it was freshman Isabel Madeira leading the way for the Salukis. Madeira took top honors in the 100-Yard Freestyle and the 200-Yard Freestyle.
Jessica Leong, who has already recorded NCAA qualifying scores in the first two events of the season, solidified her position as she posted her second NCAA-qualifying scores on both the 1-Meter Dive and the 3-Meter Dive.
The freshman from Edmonton, Alberta scored a 269.02 on the 1-Meter, the fourth-highest all-time SIU score, and a 297.07 on the 3-Meter, the third-highest all-time SIU score.
Also winning individual events for the women were Nora Bunford (200-Yard Breaststroke), Elizabeth McGowan (1000-Yard Freestyle) and Abby Blank (200-Yard Butterfly).
Kelly Dvorak, Bunford, Gabriela Flores and Kelsey Kinsella teamed up to win the 400-Yard Medley Relay while Madeira, Karin Mullendore, Kinsella and Danielle Quarry teamed up to win the 400-Yard Freestyle Relay.
"I saw more focus today as a whole group. I saw some athletes that maybe did not perform as well as they had hoped or expected, and they came over and got support rather than excuses," said Walker.
"They are great athletes and want to perform all the time."
SIU returns to action Nov. 18 - 20 as the team travels to West Lafayette, Ind. for the Purdue Invitational.
