Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Swimming & Diving falls to Missouri State
01/21/2006 | 12:00:00 | Swimming & Diving
Jan. 21, 2006
By Matt Crouch
www.siusalukis.com
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Southern Illinois University swimming & diving teams suffered their first Missouri Valley Conference losses of the season Saturday, falling to defending MVC champion Missouri State.
The men's team lost 133-110, similar to the 139-104 loss that the salukis laid on the Bears last season in Carbondale, Ill. The women's team 124.5-100.5 in the dual meet held at the Hammons Student Center in Springfield, Mo.
Missouri State's women's team improves to 6-5 on the season while the men's team moves to 8-1 in dual meets. SIU's women fall to 1-5 with the men falling to 5-2.
Both Saluki squads struggled throughout the event with each team winning only five of the 13 events.
Brandon Birchak (1-Meter Dive), Jason Sigler (1000-Yard Freestyle), Vinicius Waked (200-Yard Freestyle) and Gareth McGee (200-Yard Backstroke) each took top honors in their respective events for the men's team.
Waked, McGee, Stephan Ackerman and Dennis Hedo teamed up to win the 400-Yard Freestyle Relay with a time of 3:04.30. Sophomore Antonio Santoro, who was undefeated in dual meets, finished runner-up in the 200-Yard Freestyle and the 200-Yard Butterfly.
For the women's team, Isabel Madeira (100-Yard Freestyle), Kelly Dvorak (200-Yard Backstroke), Elizabeth McGowan (500-Yard Freestyle) and Nora Bunford (200-Yard Breaststroke) all won in their respective events.
Kelsey Kinsella, Danielle Quarry, Jennifer Janssen and Katie Lowry teamed up to take top honors in the 400-Yard Free Relay with a time of 3:41.64.
The SIU swimming & diving teams returns to action Jan. 28 with its last non-conference meet of the season as the Salukis travel to Bowling Green, Ky. to face Western Kentucky University.
Action is set to begin at 1 p.m. at the Bill Powell Natatorium.
