Missouri State University

Oct. 4, 2012

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Missouri State swimming & diving program embarks on its first full season under the direction of head coach Dave Collins, beginning with the Show-Me Showdown on Friday (Oct. 5) at 3 p.m. Both Bears’ squads will travel to Columbia, Mo. to compete with six other Missouri programs at the Mizzou Aquatics Center. The list of in-state schools includes: Drury, Lindenwood, Missouri, Missouri S&T (men), Truman State and Washington University.

Last season, the Bears kicked off their season in convincing fashion as the men’s team defeated Mizzou and captured the Show-Me Showdown title, while the women were runners-up to the Tigers.

On Saturday, the MSU women will also travel to Fayetteville, Ark. for the University of Arkansas Razorback Relays at 11 a.m.

Show-Me Showdown Schedule of Events
200 Medley Relay
200 Freestyle
200 IM
50 Freestyle
100 Butterfly
100 Freestyle
Women's 1-Meter & Men's 3-Meter Diving
500 Freestyle
200 Freestyle Relay
100 Backstroke
100 Breaststroke
400 Freestyle Relay
Women's 3-Meter & Men's 1-Meter Diving

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Men's Swimming & Diving Preview
Team Captains
Daan Jansen, Jacob Sims

New Faces Around Hammons Student Center Pool
Uvis Kalnins (Valmiera, Latvia) – Freestyle
Jack Snow (Springfield, Mo.) – Freestyle/Backstroke
Isaac Springer (Omaha, Neb.) – Breaststroke

Returning All-Conference Selections
Missouri State returns a trio of all-MAC first-team selections including junior Jared Roberts and sophomores Vitalii Baryshok and Paul Le. Roberts and Baryshok claimed individual titles at the 2012 MAC Championships, while all three garnered CollegeSwimming.com Mid-Major All-American honorable mention status.

Sophomores Caleb Schuermann and Chris Carpenter picked up all-MAC second-team honors with their swims at the 2012 MAC Championships. Both made the championship finals in all three individual events at the conference meet.

A Look Back at 2011-12
• The Bears placed fourth at the 2012 MAC Championships with 558 points, finishing behind Eastern Michigan (693.5), Buffalo (674.5) and Southern Illinois (596).
• Five different swimmers ranked in the top 150 nationally at the end of the season. Baryshok finished 52nd in the 200 free and 83rd in the 100 free. Junior Yuri Garanito’s 200 back ranked 140th in the nation. Le had three swims in the top 150, including his 200 back (51st), 100 back (60th) and 200 IM (116th). Roberts finished 50th in the nation in the 1650 free with his MAC championship performance. Rounding out the group was Schuermann who finished 69th in the 1650 free and 104th in the 500 free.
• Sophomore diver Garrett Nevels stepped up in a big way, qualifying for the NCAA Zone ‘D’ Diving Championships in both the 1- and 3-meter diving events. He concluded his freshman season with a 15th-place finish on 1-meter at Zones.
• Collected three MAC Swimmer of the Week awards: Baryshok (2), Jansen (1).
• Set six new school records: 100 free, 200 free, 1000 free, 1650 free, 200 back, and 800 free relay.

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Women’s Swimming & Diving Preview
Team Captains
Melissa Oishi, Brittany Winter

New Faces Around Hammons Student Center Pool
Rebecca Amparano (Kearney, Mo.) – Butterfly/IM
Andi Burroughs (Maumelle, Ark.) – Breaststroke
Emily Chesser (Wichita, Kan.) - IM
Kate Gately (Chesterfield, Mo.) – Freestyle
Olivia Gean (Fort Smith, Ark.) – Breaststroke
Juliana Kagami (Sao Paulo, Brazil) – Butterfly/IM
Glory Reichard (Nevada, Mo.) - Breaststroke
Ibby Simcox (Blue Springs, Mo.) – Butterfly/IM
Heather Snyder (Lee’s Summit, Mo.) – Freestyle/Butterfly
Morgan Uhlman (Liberty, Mo.) – Freestyle
Darya Wodetzki (Cincinnati, Ohio) – Diving
Carly Wright (Round Rock, Texas) – Freestyle

Returning All-Conference Selections
Missouri State collected the most MVC first-team honors of any team with 11 student-athletes. The Bears return eight of the 11: Anna Ahlin, Roni Balzam, Janke Engelbrecht, Megan Holthoff, Melissa Oishi, Renata Sander, Andrea Uzcategui and Suzanne Van Rensburg.

In addition to the 11 first-team selections, the Bears also had nine on the all-MVC honorable mention squad. Returning from that list are divers Lindsey Conway and Paige Koebbe, along with swimmers Hannah Molden, Marta Nogueroles and Kaylee Steffen.

A Look Back at 2011-12
• The Missouri State women’s swimming & diving team were crowned Missouri Valley Conference champions for the fifth consecutive year.
• It marked the ninth time in 10 years that the Bears have won the title. The 252-point margin ahead of runner-up Illinois State was the second largest margin of victory in MSU history.
• In addition to all-MVC honors, junior Renata Sander was named MVC Swimmer of the Year after winning the 100 and 200 breast, along with first-place swims on the 200 and 400 medley relays.
• Three swimmers ranked in the top 150 nationally at the end of the season. Ahlin ranked 108th in the 200 back. Drakopoulou finished 130th in the nation in the 1650 free, while Sander finished 112th in the 100 breast and 131st in the 200 breast.
• With NCAA “B” cuts, Ahlin and Sander were named to the CollegeSwimming.com Mid-Major All-American honorable mention team.
• On the season, MSU collected four MVC Swimmer of the Week awards: Oishi (2), Ahlin (1), Balzam (1).
• Bear swimmers rewrote the MSU record books in the 500 free, 1000 free, 1650 free, 200 back, 100 breast, 200 breast, 200 fly, 200 IM, 800 free relay and 400 medley relay.