The Missouri State men’s and women’s swim teams finished first at the Delta State Invitational on Sunday.  Each squad captured its third invitational title of the 2008-09 season.  The men placed on top with 938 points, finishing ahead of Tampa, New Orleans and Delta State.  The Bears' women scored 970 points to place in front of Tampa, New Orleans, Delta State and Arkansas-Little Rock.

The Missouri State women were led by sophomore Chelsea Dirks-Ham and senior co-captain Jordan Hawkins.  Dirks-Ham was given the Individual High Point Award for her performance at the three-day meet and Hawkins was runner-up. On the men’s side, senior Vic Riffel claimed the Individual High Point Award for the meet.

In the final day of competition, Hawkins finished first for the Bears in the 200 back with a time of 2:04.08.  Also swimming for the Bears in the event were junior Hilary Morrow and senior Francy Palma.  Morrow finished third with a time of 2:07.42 and Palma came in fourth at 2:09.74.

The women also recorded a one-two finish in the 1650 free.  Freshman Dimi Drakopoulos led the women in the event with a time of 17:34.37.  Trailing Drakopoulos was sophomore Katharina Voelkel in second, swimming a time of 17:46.59.  Freshman Michelle Schaefer and sophomores Nina Bailey and Rene Smith finished fourth, sixth and eighth, respectively. 

Final day performances on the men's side were led by junior Nicolas Villarroel and sophomores Roko Simunic and Cajun Skinner who all claimed first place finishes.  Villarroel was first in the 200 back with a time of 1:50.36.  Also swimming for the Bears in the event were junior Pat Bergin and freshman Bryson Cramer.  The two finished fourth and sixth, respectively. 

The 100 free was led by Simunic who placed first with a time of 45.02.  Closely behind in second was junior Ciro Sauaia at 45.14.  Sophomore Dillon Burns also swam for the men and finished fourth with a time of 46.22.

Skinner captured first in the 200 breast with a time of 2:01.85.  Senior Vic Riffel finished third with a time of 2:08.22.  Riffel also swam in the 1650 and was the top finisher for the Bears in the event.  His time of 15:55.92 placed him second.  In third was freshman Thomas Bullock with a time of 16:10.14, and in sixth at 16:27.37 was junior Cole McGee.

The men finished the meet with a win in the 400 free relay.  The team comprised of junior Andy Denefe, Sauaia, Simunic and Burns went a time of 3:02.23.

The Bears will be back in action in San Antonio, Texas at Incarnate Word.  The meet is scheduled for Saturday, January 10, with a start time of 10:00 a.m.