SIU remains undefeated against Indiana State

Friday, January 27

Terre Haute, Ind.

TBA

Southern Illinois University

Indiana State University

01/27/2017 | 9:36:00 | Swimming & Diving

By: By Drew Hoffman, SIUSalukis.com

RESULTS

TERRE HAUTE, IND. - The Southern Illinois University women's swimming and diving team remains undefeated against Indiana State after winning tonight, 142-111. The women's team have now won two dual matches in a row.

Today's match with Indiana State was the first time in over thirty-seven years that SIU has faced them. ISU has recently reformed their swimming and diving program after years without it.

The meet started off with an SIU victory in the 400-yard medley relay. Newcomer Rita Naude, sophomores Jessica Peck and Audrey Snyder, and junior Penny Bowser took first place with a time of 4:04.83. They edged out fellow SIU relay team by nearly two seconds. Following the relay was the 1,000-yard freestyle. Bryn Handley came in first place, finishing with a time of 10:06.32. Handley is 3-0 in freestyle events over 1,000-yards in 2017. Senior Lauren Stockton jumped in the pool right after Handley's win for a win of her own. Stockton won the 200-yard freestyle by more than a full second for one of her two top three finishes on the day.

It took only one event after the 200-yard freestyle for SIU to get their next win. Freshman Samantha Parsons swam to a time of 1:07.27 for a first place win in the 100-yard breaststroke. Parson's day was not done here, as she later on finished second in the 200-yard IM. Following Parson's win, Audrey Snyder grabbed the best time in the 200-yard butterfly and Handley took first place in the 50-yard freestyle.

After seven events SIU had won six of them. The Salukis also won event eight, one-meter diving, as Indiana State had no player compete.

"This was our first meeting against the newly formed Indiana State," head coach Rick Walker said. "It was nice to come away with the win."

SIU finished the second half of the meet by doing much of what they did in the first half. Avery McKenna started things off with a victory in the 100-yard freestyle, securing nine points for SIU. Senior Sarah James was the next Saluki to bring in nine points for the Southern, winning the 200-yard backstroke by more than three seconds. The 500-yard freestyle was the next event on the docket and Bryn Handley seized her third win of the day, recording a time just over five minutes flat. Emma Brazeau won SIU's final individual event of the day in the 100-yard butterfly. The sophomore bested the second place finisher by .48 seconds.

The Salukis ended the meet by winning the 200-yard freestyle relay by nearly two seconds, placing them inside the top ten best times in the MVC this season.

"We now have to shift our focus on beginning our resting phase so we are prepared for the MVC championships," Walker said. "I credit our women who respect their opponent no matter who it is, because without them there is nothing to compete for. They give their all no matter what. I love that about them."

The Salukis return home for their final match of the regular season against Evansville on Feb. 4.