Southern Illinois vs. Ball State

MUNCIE, Indiana, February 3. THE Southern Illinois swimming and diving teams split a dual meet at Ball State Friday night. The men's team won the dual, 146-91, and the women dropped theirs, 147-95. The teams are back in action Saturday afternoon against Evansville for Senior Day.

"They were definitely prepared for us," head coach Rick Walker said. "We were as prepared for them as we could be. I'm proud of the whole team, each and every one of them. This is one of my first years, in all my years of coaching, that I can honestly say we can all just go home and rest. We're all at the same point, and we can start looking forward to the conference meets."

On the men's side Csaba Gercsak swept the 500 (4:48.58) and 1,000 (9:51.11) yard freestyles, leading a men's team that picked up nine wins in 13 events. The team also got wins from the 200 medley relay (1:34.95), El Badrawi (200 free; 1:44.26), Kegan Skelton (3-meter dive; 267.30), Justin Wolfe (100 fly; 49.84), Cesar Perez (100 back; 51.90), Nathan Day (one-meter dive; 304.27) and the 200 free relay team (1:24.23).

For the women, MVC Swimmer of the Week Pamela Benitez won two more events, the 100 (53.04) and 200 (1:53.14) yard freestyles, pushing her individual win total to 10 in 11 events. Kirsten Groome also picked up two wins for the women, sweeping the 500 (5:03.82) and the 1,000 (10:17.14) freestyles. It was the third time this year Groome has swept the 500 and 1,000-yard freestyles.

The Salukis will compete in their last meet before the conference championships on Saturday against Evansville. The Salukis will send off 16 seniors–11 men and five women. The Senior Day meet is set to start at 3 p.m. in the Dr. Edward J. Shea Natatorium. Admission is free.
"Tomorrow, we're looking to have some fun," Walker said. "The women will swim some off meets, and the men are just wrapping up the season. We're looking forward to it."

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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