Friday, October 3
Springfield, MO
4 PM / 10 AM
Southern Illinois University
at
Missouri State
Photo by: Makayla Ward
Swim and Dive Opens 2025-26 Season with Trip to Missouri State
10/02/2025 | 12:17:00 | Swimming & Diving
Carbondale, Ill. – The 2025-26 season is here for Southern Illinois swim and dive, who begin their campaign with a two-day meet at Missouri State this Friday and Saturday.
"We are looking forward to getting the dual meet season underway Friday and Saturday at Missouri State," says head coach Geoff Hanson. "Even though they have left the MVC, they have been a traditional rival for decades and we will keep that going this weekend. We have a lot to learn about this year's Saluki team, with a large group of newcomers. Many of our returners will take on different roles than in past seasons as well. We are excited about the challenge of beginning the new season."
Details
-What: Swim and Dive at Missouri State
-Date: October 3 / October 4
-Time: 4 p.m. / 10 a.m.
-Location: Hammons Center, Springfield, Missouri
-Opponent: Missouri State Bears
-Live Results: MeetMobile App
Last Season
Southern is coming off another successful season in the pool. In dual meets, the men's squad finished 5-2 while the women compiled a 10-1 record. And at the Missouri Valley Conference championships, both the men's and women's teams finished as runner-up.
As for individual success, 27 Salukis earned spots on the All-MVC lists, with 18 being named All-MVC Scholar Athletes. Meanwhile, three swimmers made their way to the NCAA Championships. Alex Santiago was the lone male to make the big stage, and earned himself the title of MVC Men's Swimmer of the Year. On the women's side, Celia Pulido was named MVC Women's Swimmer of the Year while also becoming a First-Team All-American in the 100-yard backstroke. Olivia Herron was the other NCAA Championship participant for the Salukis, and was named Second-Team All-American in the 200-yard breaststroke. Herron also was named the MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Key Returners
Several key performers from last season are back in maroon this season. Of the three NCAA Championship qualifiers, Herron is the lone returning, ready for her senior year. However, Pulido is also returning to the team, albeit on the coaching staff as a graduate assistant. In addition to Herron, seven All-Conference members are returning to the women's squad, including reigning MVC Women's Freshman Swimmer of the Year, Liseska Gallegos Gutierrez.
On the men's side, 10 All-Conference members are back on the roster. Highlights include the MVC Men's Freshman Diver of the Year,Lucas Lauzon, and the MVC Elite 18 Award winner, Alex Cimera.
Captains this year for the Salukis include Cimera, Brooklyn Anderson, Bea Padron, Sam Vega, Audrey Leno, and Tiago Faleiros.
Impactful Newcomers
Bolstering the returners is a strong group of newcomers.
In the transfer portal, the Salukis picked up Nikolas Kosta from UNCW and Carter Ruthven from Kentucky. As for freshmen, 14 collegiate newcomers are set to make their collegiate debuts.
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the swim and dive teams by following the them on X at @SIU_SwimDive, on Instagram at @siu_swimdive, and on Facebook at facebook.com/SIUSwimDive. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
"We are looking forward to getting the dual meet season underway Friday and Saturday at Missouri State," says head coach Geoff Hanson. "Even though they have left the MVC, they have been a traditional rival for decades and we will keep that going this weekend. We have a lot to learn about this year's Saluki team, with a large group of newcomers. Many of our returners will take on different roles than in past seasons as well. We are excited about the challenge of beginning the new season."
Details
-What: Swim and Dive at Missouri State
-Date: October 3 / October 4
-Time: 4 p.m. / 10 a.m.
-Location: Hammons Center, Springfield, Missouri
-Opponent: Missouri State Bears
-Live Results: MeetMobile App
Last Season
Southern is coming off another successful season in the pool. In dual meets, the men's squad finished 5-2 while the women compiled a 10-1 record. And at the Missouri Valley Conference championships, both the men's and women's teams finished as runner-up.
As for individual success, 27 Salukis earned spots on the All-MVC lists, with 18 being named All-MVC Scholar Athletes. Meanwhile, three swimmers made their way to the NCAA Championships. Alex Santiago was the lone male to make the big stage, and earned himself the title of MVC Men's Swimmer of the Year. On the women's side, Celia Pulido was named MVC Women's Swimmer of the Year while also becoming a First-Team All-American in the 100-yard backstroke. Olivia Herron was the other NCAA Championship participant for the Salukis, and was named Second-Team All-American in the 200-yard breaststroke. Herron also was named the MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Key Returners
Several key performers from last season are back in maroon this season. Of the three NCAA Championship qualifiers, Herron is the lone returning, ready for her senior year. However, Pulido is also returning to the team, albeit on the coaching staff as a graduate assistant. In addition to Herron, seven All-Conference members are returning to the women's squad, including reigning MVC Women's Freshman Swimmer of the Year, Liseska Gallegos Gutierrez.
On the men's side, 10 All-Conference members are back on the roster. Highlights include the MVC Men's Freshman Diver of the Year,Lucas Lauzon, and the MVC Elite 18 Award winner, Alex Cimera.
Captains this year for the Salukis include Cimera, Brooklyn Anderson, Bea Padron, Sam Vega, Audrey Leno, and Tiago Faleiros.
Impactful Newcomers
Bolstering the returners is a strong group of newcomers.
In the transfer portal, the Salukis picked up Nikolas Kosta from UNCW and Carter Ruthven from Kentucky. As for freshmen, 14 collegiate newcomers are set to make their collegiate debuts.
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the swim and dive teams by following the them on X at @SIU_SwimDive, on Instagram at @siu_swimdive, and on Facebook at facebook.com/SIUSwimDive. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Players Mentioned
IM/Back
/ Swimming & Diving
Free/Fly/Back
/ Swimming & Diving
/ Swimming & Diving
/ Swimming & Diving
Breast/IM
/ Swimming & Diving
/ Swimming & Diving
Dive
/ Swimming & Diving
Dive
/ Swimming & Diving
Free/Fly
/ Swimming & Diving
Back/Fly
/ Swimming & Diving
Free/Fly
/ Swimming & Diving
Freestyle
/ Swimming & Diving
Free/IM
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