Ball State vs. Southern Illinois

CARBONDALE, Illinois, January 22. THE Southern Illinois men's swimming and diving team dominated Ball State in Mid-American Conference dual action Saturday morning, taking first-place in all 13 events en route to a 146-87 victory.

The Saluki men are now 2-0 against MAC opponents this season, and have won their last three-straight dual meets.

SIU's relay teams set the tone for the meet in the 200 medley relay, placing first and third. Cesar Perez, Steve Wood, Justin Wolfe and Juan Arbelaez Osorio combined for the top time of 1:34.35, good for 11 points.

In the 1000 free, Csaba Gercsak topped his own season-best mark, setting a new top time for the MAC at 9:30.21.

Matt Parsons followed in suit with a decisive victory in the 200 free, and George Minkel finished fourth. Newcomer Juan Arbelaez Osorio touched in just ahead of Ball State's Casey Schroeder in the 50 free to secure the win at 21.63.

Justin Ruszkowski posted NCAA Zone qualifying marks in both diving events, winning the 1-meter dive with a score of 302.70 and the 3-meter dive at 339.53.

Wood broke the top-10 times in the conference in the 200 IM at 1:55.94 for another SIU first-place finish, while Seyi Fatayi-Williams finished third. The trio of Wolfe, Parsons and Matt Kruse combined for the three top times in the 200 fly.

El Badrawi and Perez took first in their respective events, the 100 free and 200 back, before Gercsak collected his second individual victory of the day in the 500 free at 4:41.78.
Wood and Fatayi-Williams delivered again in the last individual event of the meet, finishing first and second in the 200 breast.

The Salukis snuck past the Cardinals in the 200 free relay for their 13th and final victory, as the A team of Wolfe, Jared Bradd, Parsons and Badrawi finished with a time of 1:26.01 to seal the meet for SIU.

Only two dual meets remain on the schedule for Southern Illinois in preparation for the MAC Championships March 3-5. The Salukis will travel to Western Kentucky Saturday, Jan. 29 for a 1 p.m. start time.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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