Missouri Valley Conference: Day One

CARBONDALE, Illinois, February 16. REIGNING champions Missouri State won the first event of the 2012 State Farm MVC Swimming & Diving Championship. The team of Anna Ahlin, Andrea Uzcategui, Janke Engelbrecht and Ali Stauffer finished in 1:34.80 to take the gold. Evansville came in second-place (1:35.18) with Illinois State a very close third (1:35.19).

Danielle Schumacher of Illinois State took won the gold in the 500 yard freestyle in a time of 4:52.50. Two freshman are making their name known early as Pamela Benitez of Southern Illinois (4:52.50) and Michelle Tipton of Evansville (4:54.59) took second and third, respectively.

After breaking the 200 yard IM Championship record in prelims this morning, Hannah Pinion of Southern Illinois came from behind to win top honors in record timing. Pinion broke her earlier record touching in 2:03.32. The underclassmen really shined in this race as a Missouri State sophomore duo earned silver and bronze. Renata Sander finished in 2:03.49 followed closely by Anna Ahlin (2:03.83).

Another freshman came in first-place tonight as Katherine Nelson of Illinois State won the 50-yard freestyle in 24.09. Luisa Silveira of Southern Illinois came in second (24.11) and Missouri State's Janke Engelbrecht and Ali Stauffer tied for third-place (24.15).

For the 1-meter diving, Illinois State's Wenting Zhang was crowned champion with a score of 266.20. Southern Illinois took the next two spots with junior Anna Beeck (255.45) and sophomore Brittany Weigel (250.45).

Missouri State finished the night how they started it, winning races. The Bears took a commanding lead in the beginning of the 400 yard medley relay and never looked back. Anna Ahlin, Renata Sander, Roni Balzam and Ali Stauffer finished in a new championship record time of 3:44.24. Southern Illinois took second-place (3:48.42) with Evansville a close third (3:49.75).

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