Southern Illinoise University Athletics
MVC Championships: Day Three Preliminaries
02/20/2015 | 12:00:00 | Swimming & Diving
By Elizabeth Robinson
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - After the preliminary rounds of Day Three at the MVC Swimming and Diving Championships, the Salukis qualified 10 swimmers and three divers for A Finals at tonight's finals session.
"We have a group of girls who are trying to figure out how to get the best performances from an all-out need to succeed, and I think they're doing an excellent job of figuring that out," head coach Rick Walker said.
Sophomore Sarah James had a record-breaking performance in the 100-yard Backstroke, breaking the SIU all-time record, which she previously held, with a 55.70 finish. Her first place finish advanced her to the A Final in tonight's session.
Junior Katy Ovington and freshman McKenna Avery also qualified for the 100-yard Backstroke A Final, coming in at sixth and eighth places, respectively.
The day began with the 400-yard Individual Medley, where senior Hannah Pinion earned fifth place with a 4:30.22 finish. Last year's champion, Briana Horozewski of Missouri State finished in third place.
In the following event, the 100-yard Butterfly, Kristina Ksarjian and Lauren Stockton qualified for the A Final with fifth and eighth place finishes, respectively. Ksarjian finished with a 57.16 time, followed by Stockton at 57.60. Reigning champion Lexi Nash of Illinois State took second place at 56.22.
Freshmen Kelsie Walker and Bryn Handley came out strong again this morning, finishing in second and third places, respectively, in the 200-yard Freestyle race. Walker and Bryn have competed in A Finals at each day of the MVC Championships so far, earning first in the 800-yard Freestyle Relay on Wednesday, and second and third, respectively, in the 500-yard Freestyle on Thursday.
The final two Saluki swimmers competing in tonight's A Finals came in the 100-yard Breaststroke, as Liane Tatigian and Holly Johnson finished in sixth and seventh places, respectively.
Along with the 10 Saluki swimmers in A Finals, four will compete in B Finals, and six in C Finals.
In the Three-Meter dives, the Salukis qualified all three divers for tonight's A Final, taking three of the top four spots. SIU's Kaixuan 'Sherry' Zhang, last year's champion and current MVC Championship record holder took first place, followed by Esther Chen and Rachel Williams in third and fourth places, respectively.
"This is not a time to be polite. You have to get greedy," Walker said. "If it's one point, you say `One point's not enough, I want two.' If they give you two, you say `No, I want four,' until you can't get anymore. That's the only way we're going to move forward."
Tonight's finals session begins at 6 p.m. in the Dr. Edward J. Shea Natatorium in the SIU Student Rec Center. The action will start with the 400-yard Individual Medley and will conclude with Three-Meter dives.
Players Mentioned
