Recap | Salukis Back on Top of Women’s MVC Championships After Friday’s Events
02/28/2025 | 10:25:00 | Swimming & Diving
Waukee, Iowa – Friday featured day three of the Women's Missouri Valley Conference Swim and Dive Championship. Southern Illinois' squad jumped back into first place in the overall standings thanks to several gold medals and broken records.
How it Happened
Prelims
Prelims started with a bang for the Salukis. Celia Pulido finished the 100-yard butterfly in 52.49 seconds, not only qualifying her for the A-finals but also setting a new program, MVC, and championship record. Bea Padron joined Pulido in making the A-finals. Meanwhile, Masha Zhukova and Jules Atkinson both made the B-finals.
In the 400-yard IM, Brooklyn Anderson finished first to secure a spot in the A-finals and Fernanda Sánchez also made the A-finals. Sam Vega finished 11th in the event to head to the B-finals.
The 200-yard freestyle was up next, and Susanna Hernandez was the only Saluki to make the A-finals. Padron came in 12th to go to the B-finals.
Olivia Herron placed first in the 100-yard breaststroke prelims and Ali Robertson was the runner-up in the event. Both locked up spots in the A-finals as did Madalyn Booker . Ava Rines clinched a B-finals spot.
The 100-yard backstroke ended prelims, and Pulido and Liseska Gallegos Gutierrez grabbed the top-two spots to head to the A-finals. Andrea Santos Arambula grabbed a B-finals spot.
Finals
Friday's finals started with the 100-yard butterfly. Pulido was crowned the event's champion, once again resetting the program, MVC, and championship record with her swim of 52.49. Padron also medaled in the event, claiming bronze.
Next was the 400-yard IM, in which Anderson took home the silver medal after her 4:19.57 swim.
After Hernandez claimed fourth in the 200-yard freestyle finals, the Salukis found themselves back in the top-three in the 100-yard breaststroke. Herron was the event's champion after her 1:00.54 swim reset the championship record. Robertson was less than half-a-second from matching Herron, helping her take home silver.
SIU secured two more medals in the 100-yard backstroke. Pulido's championship time of 51.74 set a new championship record as well, and Gallegos came in second in the event.
The 200-yard freestyle relay ended the night's events, and SIU's squad placed sixth with their 1:31.88 performance.
Up Next
The Women's MVC Swim and Dive Championships conclude tomorrow, Saturday Prelims begin at 10:30 a.m. before finals take place at 6 p.m.
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.
How it Happened
Prelims
Prelims started with a bang for the Salukis. Celia Pulido finished the 100-yard butterfly in 52.49 seconds, not only qualifying her for the A-finals but also setting a new program, MVC, and championship record. Bea Padron joined Pulido in making the A-finals. Meanwhile, Masha Zhukova and Jules Atkinson both made the B-finals.
In the 400-yard IM, Brooklyn Anderson finished first to secure a spot in the A-finals and Fernanda Sánchez also made the A-finals. Sam Vega finished 11th in the event to head to the B-finals.
The 200-yard freestyle was up next, and Susanna Hernandez was the only Saluki to make the A-finals. Padron came in 12th to go to the B-finals.
Olivia Herron placed first in the 100-yard breaststroke prelims and Ali Robertson was the runner-up in the event. Both locked up spots in the A-finals as did Madalyn Booker . Ava Rines clinched a B-finals spot.
The 100-yard backstroke ended prelims, and Pulido and Liseska Gallegos Gutierrez grabbed the top-two spots to head to the A-finals. Andrea Santos Arambula grabbed a B-finals spot.
Finals
Friday's finals started with the 100-yard butterfly. Pulido was crowned the event's champion, once again resetting the program, MVC, and championship record with her swim of 52.49. Padron also medaled in the event, claiming bronze.
Next was the 400-yard IM, in which Anderson took home the silver medal after her 4:19.57 swim.
After Hernandez claimed fourth in the 200-yard freestyle finals, the Salukis found themselves back in the top-three in the 100-yard breaststroke. Herron was the event's champion after her 1:00.54 swim reset the championship record. Robertson was less than half-a-second from matching Herron, helping her take home silver.
SIU secured two more medals in the 100-yard backstroke. Pulido's championship time of 51.74 set a new championship record as well, and Gallegos came in second in the event.
The 200-yard freestyle relay ended the night's events, and SIU's squad placed sixth with their 1:31.88 performance.
Up Next
The Women's MVC Swim and Dive Championships conclude tomorrow, Saturday Prelims begin at 10:30 a.m. before finals take place at 6 p.m.
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.
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