Records fall as Missouri State Out-Swims Drury

                Missouri State started out strong, placing first in the first four events of the day, including freshman Marta Nogueroles record-setting performance in the 1000-yard freestyle.  Nogueroles, in her fourth collegiate race, was neck and neck the whole race with Drury’s Erin Dolan.  With 150 yards to go, Nogueroles made her move and ended up finishing with a time of 10:16.77, a full three seconds faster than the previous record, and four seconds ahead of Dolan.

                Senior Nicolas Villarroel also swam strong early, setting a new pool record in the 100-yard backstroke (49.00) with his performance on the first leg of the 400-yard medley relay.  His quick start led the Bears to a pool record in the event, finishing at 3:22.37 (Villarroel, junior Roko Simunic, senior Ciro Sauaia, and junior Dillon Burns swam for the Bears in the event.).

                The Missouri State men dominated the water in the freestyle events.  Only three Drury swimmers cracked the top four in any freestyle event.  The Bears went 1-4 in the 50-yard freestyle (Sauaia, 21.67; senior Andy Denefe, 21.72; sophomore Jeff Bentz, 21.81; senior Vance Perkins, 21.92) and the 100-yard freestyle (Bentz, 47.62; Burns, 47.77; Sauaia, 47.78; Denefe, 47.98). The Bears also swept the honors in the 200-yard butterfly with sophomore Katie Lindeman winning for the women (2:09.97) and sophomore Tom Bullock for the men (1:56.25).

                Off the diving boards, the senior duo of Chelsea Ray and Heather Fulton stole the show, with Ray finishing first in the three-meter (262.57) and Fulton taking the one-meter board (235.87).  For the men, junior Eric Ducourneau won both of the events with his scores of 305.62 (one-meter) and 312.37 (three-meter).

                Overall, six Bears achieved first place in multiple events.  Villarroel led the way with three first place finishes. Sauaia, Ducourneau, Simunic, sophomore Nick Carter and Chelsea Dirks-Ham all earned first-place honors.

                “This was a team victory,” Bears associate head coach Dave Collins said. “Everyone stepped up.  We had some very pleasant surprises. Our underclassmen really stepped up into some big roles.  Tonight really showed the effort that this team has put in all season.”

                Missouri State returns to action Nov. 6 at 6:00 p.m. when they take on Lindenwood University at Hammons Student Center Pool.