Southern Illinois University
University of Evansville
Swim and Dive hosts Evansville for Senior Day
02/01/2019 | 12:29:00 | Swimming & Diving
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois swimming and diving program hosts Evansville on Feb. 2 at Shea Natatorium for its final home meet of the 2018-19 season. The dual meet begins at 11 a.m. and SIU's 14 seniors will be recognized during the diving portion of the meet.
THOUGHTS FROM COACH WALKER
On the SIU senior class
This group, like every group that has proceeded them, is a group that by the time they are seniors, they are irreplaceable. What they have done for the program is something that only other Salukis that follow them can try to attain. We will surely miss them, but we will bring in new Salukis who will also forge their own path. We are eternally grateful for the senior class that we have.
On Evansville
I think they are pretty good. We are fighting off illnesses and trying to keep people from getting injured, so we are hoping that does not impact us negatively. We are swimming some off events to have a little bit of fun for the last meet. Evansville is a program we have also respected and we have great admiration for them. They have a program that was built on the same kind of foundations that we have, so it is exciting to end our season competing against them.
HISTORY VERSUS THE ACES
The women's team holds a 31-1 career record against Missouri Valley Conference opponent Evansville. The two have matched up in dual meet action yearly since 1995. Last season, Southern rolled the Aces 166-72 and current Salukis Beibei Ji, Baobao Ji, Emma Brazeau, Rita Naude and Samantha Parsons came away with victories.
The men's team has a perfect 36-0 advantage over Evansville. The first meeting was in 1965 and the teams have met an average of two times per season since 2011. Southern won 157-79 against the Aces in the last meeting, with Eli Mercado, Reilly Garman and Chris Cole recording victories for the Salukis.
CONFERENCE RANKINGS
Salukis in the MVC top-five
Beibei Ji
• 1st - One-meter dive (303.90)
• 1st - Three-meter dive (323.55)
Baobao Ji
• 2nd - Three-meter dive (306.75)
• 3rd - One-meter dive (294.60)
Samantha Parsons
• 2nd - 200-breast (2:16.84)
Emma Brazeau
• 3rd - 100-fly (54.96)
• 3rd - 200-breast (2:18.12)
• 4th - 50-fly (25.61)
• 4th - 200-IM (2:04.48)
• 5th - 100-breast (1:04.68)
Jordan Ries
• 4th - 200-free (1:51.83)
Rita Naude
• 5th - 50-fly (25.64)
• 5th - 100-fly (55.76)
Audrey Snyder
• 5th - 200-fly (2:04.94)
Laura Carver
• 5th - 400-IM (4:26.29)
Salukis in the MAC top-five
Eli Mercado
• 1st - One-meter dive (339.05)
• 3rd - Three-meter dive (343.20)
Kai Hoffmann-Dussome
• 2nd - Three-meter dive (343.68)
• 3rd - One-meter dive (318.15)
Reilly Garman
• 2nd - 200-free (1:38.34)
• 5th - 100-free (45.33)
Fu Kang
• 4th - 100-breast (55.19)
• 4th - 200-breast (2:02.09)
Chris Cole
• 4th - 400-IM (3:58.52)
• 5th - 200-back (1:51.39)
Zheng Yang Yeap
• 4th - 200-free (1:39.44)
• 5th - 500-free (4:31.09)
Chris Phillips
• 5th - 200-IM (1:53.33)
FU KANG'S HISTORIC WEEKEND
Saluki newcomer Fu Kang continued his impressive season last weekend against Ball State (1/26) and at the Butler Invite (1/27). Kang won the 100-yard breast, 200-yard breast and the 200-yard IM against the Cardinals. His time of 55.20 in the 100-breast was the career-best and the third-fastest in SIU history, surpassing Calvin Kolar's time of 55.21 set during the 2014-15 season.
Kang beat his new career-best mark in the 100-breast with a time of 55.19 at the Butler Invite, furthering himself into the SIU record book. He also won the 200-breast at the invite, pushing his win total to five for the weekend. The sophomore now holds the third and fourth fastest times in SIU history.
STELLER ACADEMICS
During the men's basketball game against Indiana State, 12 Saluki swimmers and divers were recognized at mid-court of SIU Arena for having a perfect 4.0 GPA in the fall semester.
The men's team possessed a 3.407 GPA and the women's team had a 3.477 GPA in the fall. As a result to the academic success, the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America selected the Salukis to the Scholar All-American Team for the fall semester. Southern has earned the honor by the CSCAA every semester since the fall of 2011.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
For the latest updates on the Salukis versus Evansville, follow the team on Twitter @SIU_SwimDive, on Instagram @SIUSwimAndDive and on Facebook at Saluki Swimming and Diving.
Players Mentioned
