Southern Illinois University
MVC Championships (WOMEN)
MVC Swimming and Diving Championship Preview
02/19/2019 | 2:30:00 | Swimming & Diving
The Southern Illinois women's swimming and diving team will compete at the Missouri Valley Conference Championship from Feb. 20-23 at the Mizzou Aquatic Center in Columbia, Mo. Missouri State is the host of the four-day championship meet. Live coverage and results will be provided on the MVC Championship Central page.Â
THOUGHTS FROM HEAD COACH RICK WALKER
On the preparation going into MVC's.
We go through a taper. By cutting back on the volume and intensity, the athletes become more rested and get an extra kick, which is where the best performances will often come from. As they are more rested, the recovery is better under shorter periods of time as well.Â
On his hopes for the women's team.
My hopes have nothing to do with the times. I just want them to settle down, relax, and have fun. If that do that, then they will have some great performances. If we are too concerned about other things, then we skip a process on the true outcome.Â
On how it feels for this to be his last time at MVC's with the women's team.
It is a little surreal. When I first came to SIU, I was so excited to be going to the first conference championship meet with the team. Over 30 years later, I am equally excited. I am just as proud, excited and anxious as I was back then. All those emotions from the first are still here now and I am very grateful for all of the great athletes that I have had the opportunity to coach in my time here.
MVC CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
The SIU women's team has experienced a rich history of success since joining the MVC in 1994. Southern has gone on to win MVC's nine times and place second an additional nine times. From 1997-2001, the Salukis won five-straight Valley titles and their most recent championship was in 2016, when they outlasted Missouri State by .5. Third place has been the worst finish the by women's team in the 24-year span.Â
TOP DAWGS
Eight Salukis possess top-five MVC marks in one or more events. Twins Beibei Ji and Baobao Ji headline the group, as they are the top-two divers in the one- and three-meter dive in the MVC. Additionally, senior Emma Brazeau holds top-five marks in a team-high four events.Â
Beibei JiÂ
• 1st - One-meter dive (303.90)
• 1st - Three-meter dive (335.25)
Baobao JiÂ
• 2nd - One-meter dive (300.67)
• 2nd - Three-meter dive (306.75)
Samantha Parsons
• 2nd - 200-breast (2:16.84)
Emma BrazeauÂ
• 3rd - 100-fly (54.96)
• 3rd - 200-breast (2:18.12)
• 4th- 200-IM (2:04.48)
• 5th - 100-breast (1:04.68)
Jordan Ries
• 4th - 200-free (1:51.83)
Rita Naude
• 5th - 100-fly (55.76)
Audrey SnyderÂ
• 5th - 200-fly (2:04.94)
Laura CarverÂ
• 5th - 400-IM (4:26.29)
MVC HONORS
Junior diver Beibei Ji has won MVC Diver of the Week four times this season, the most of any Valley diver. In the pool, senior swimmer Jordan Ries won MVC Swimmer of the Week for the first time in her four-year career at SIU.Â
12/4/18 - Beibei Ji - MVC Diver of the Week
1/22/19 - Beibei Ji - MVC Diver of the Week
1/29/19 - Beibei Ji - MVC Diver of the Week
2/5/19 - Beibei Ji - MVC Diver of the WeekÂ
2/5/19 - Jordan Ries - MVC Swimmer of the Week
PRE-CHAMPIONSHIP POLL
In the annual pre-championship poll, SIU was picked fourth. Missouri State, the winners of the past two MVC Championships, received all eight first-place votes.
1. Missouri State - 64 (8)2. Northern Iowa - 53Â
3. Indiana State - 46
4. Southern Illinois - 41
5. Illinois State - 36
6. Little Rock - 22
7. Evansville - 18
8. Valparaiso - 8
SALUKIS VS. THE VALLEY
Southern has faced off in dual-meet action against five of the seven Valley teams this season. The only two schools SIU has not swam versus this season are Northern Iowa and Valparaiso.
10/20/18 - Illinois State: L, 157-143
12/1/18 - Missouri State: L, 158-85
1/19/19 - Arkansas-Little Rock: W, 174.5-122.5
1/26/19 - Indiana State: L, 204-96
2/2/19 - Evansville: W, 143-100
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Along with following the MVC Championship Central page, follow @SIU_SwimDive on twitter, @SIUSwimandDive on Instagram and Saluki Swimming and Diving on Facebook for the latest updates on the Salukis.Â
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Players Mentioned
