The Missouri State swimming and diving team completed an eventful month on Friday, Oct. 31, in dual action against Missouri at the Mizzou Aquatic Center.
While the men’s side fell 189-54 and the women’s team lost 200-43 to the Southeastern Conference member, the Bears had a variety of swimmers break season-best times this season.
“It was a great opportunity to race against an SEC school and show them what we are capable of,” junior men’s swimmer Uvis Kalnins said. “I think we put on a good fight and posted good times.”
Kalnins was a top performer for the Bears Friday. He swam the anchor leg of the 400 medley squad – which included Paul Le, Isaac Springer and Matthew Wilson – that posted a season-best time of 3:19.83. Kalnins also posted season-best times while finishing first in the 400 IM (3:53.51) and second in the 100 free (44.85).
“My races tonight went well starting out in the 400 medley relay as the anchor (and) posting a season best in both my individual races.” Kalnins said. “I think I’m on the right track in the water and in the weight room to have a good meet in a few weeks at Louisville.”
The men had several notable season-best performances. Miguel Davila finished second in the 1000 free with a time of 9:25.32, while Max Pratt had a personal mark of 10:17.17. Isaac McKnight placed third in the 200 free (1:42.60) and Will Brand finished in a time of 1:43.61. Christopher Heye completed the 400 IM in 4:08.50 and Ethan Bresette topped his best time in the 200 fly (1:56.91).
Paul Le earned top honors in the 200 back (1:45.65) and a runner-up finish in the 50 free (20.49). Garrett Nevels led the MSU divers with runner-up finishes on the 1-meter diving board (3:28.88) and the 3-meter board (340.35).
“I think this meet went well considering the amount of duals we have had this month,” men’s senior diver Garrett Nevels said. “I’m excited to use this meet as a benchmark to see what can be improved on for the upcoming Louisville meet.”
The women’s team also had several top times set in Friday’s dual action.
The Bears went 2-5 in the 1000 free with Suzanne Van Rensburg (10:31.01), Heather Snyder (10:31.07), Emma Metz (10:49.82) and Carly Wright (10:56.17) all posting personal bests in the event. Van Rensburg (5:14.69) also earned her top time of the year in the 500 free.
Ibby Simcox (1:57.72) and Shawna Elsey (1:59.58) hit personal marks in the 200 free, as did Briana Horozewski (4:37.97) in the 400 IM and Lauren Williams (2:13.25) in the 200 fly. Emily Chesser, Megan Holthoff and Quincy Howell also set season-bests in the 200 back.
“It has been a good experience racing as much as we have this month and finishing with Missouri,” sophomore women’s swimmer Anna Bump said. “It put everyone to the test not just physically, but mentally as well and we will be stronger for it.”
Bump and Kate Gately went 3-4 in the 100 free, while Dora Kiss also got fourth place in the 200 fly.
Nina Privitera placed fourth in 1-meter diving with 237.60 points and Hannah Swyers also finished fourth in 3-meter diving with 210.97 points to lead the Bears’ women’s divers.
“While we fell short as far as points today, we always take positives away from meets like these,” sophomore women’s diver Nina Privitera said. “We are building a very good foundation for the rest of our season and most importantly the conference championships.”
“We have asked a lot out of our athletes with meets every weekend in October,” head coach Dave Collins said. “It has been beneficial to watch the races and compete. I am really looking forward to a few good weeks of uninterrupted training as we prepare for the Louisville Invite in late November. That meet will be a championship format and we will look to be very sharp at that time.”
The Bears have a three-week break from any competitive events before heading to the Louisville Invitational from Nov. 21-23.
