Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Salukis to open season against McKendree
10/05/2018 | 9:12:00 | Swimming & Diving
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois men's and women's swimming and diving program will host McKendree on Saturday, Oct. 6 at Shea Natatorium for the 2018-19 season opener. Events will begin at 11:00 a.m.
This is the second-straight year that Southern Illinois will take on McKendree. In 2017, both the men's and women's swimming and team defeated the Bearcasts by scores of 161-134 and 228-74. McKendree is coached by former Saluki graduate assistant Jimmy Tierney.
Head coach Rick Walker returns for his 32nd year and is eager for his team to compete after weeks of practice, but understands the difficulties that may be encountered due to injuries.
"I am excited for the season to begin and to compete against a formidable force like McKendree," said Walker. "We will have our hands full with multiple key athletes limited or out all together due to injury. It is a challenge I know our athletes will rise to and certainly come away with a point of reference to move forward from. As with all first meets this will prove to be interesting."
On the men's side, the Salukis return second team All-MAC selections, Chris Cole and Tamas Hajtman. Cole holds the second fastest 400-IM time in Saluki history, while Hajtman swam to six first-place finishes despite only competing during the spring semester. Also returning is the diving tandem of Eli Mercado and Kai Hoffman-Dussome. Both placed top-10 in the one-meter dive at the 2018 MAC Championships.
SIU also returns five seniors including Reilly Garman. In 2017-18, Garman took first in two events and was a member of three relay teams that recorded top SIU times.
Last season, the men won five dual meets and placed fourth out of seven teams at the MAC Championships. Five Salukis depart from the 2017-2018 team, including former standouts Alex Crawford and Michael Wolfe. Expected to replace the departures is a talented group of freshmen and transfers. Headlining the group of newcomers is Fu Kang, Zheng Yang Yeap and Robert Chelberg.
On the women's side, the Salukis return 11 individuals who earned All-MVC last season including twin divers Baobao Ji and Beibei Ji. The two swept the one-meter and three-meter diving events at the 2018 MVC Championships and went on to compete at the NCAA Zone C Diving meet. Baobao was also named the MVC Diver of the year.
Among the returnees are eight seniors. Of the eight, Abby Kresal, Audrey Snyder, Emma Brazeau, Jess Peck and Jordan Ries earned All-MVC honors last season and were members of 2016 MVC Championship team. The experienced senior class is expected to offset the losses of Bryn Handley and McKenna Avery.
In 2017-18, the women placed second of seven teams at the MVC Championships. In dual meet action, they recorded a 7-1 record, with their only loss coming against conference champion Missouri State.
For all of the updates regarding Saluki Swimming and Diving follow the team on Twitter @SIU_SwimDive, on Instagram @SIUswimanddive and on Facebook at Saluki Swimming and Diving.
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