Missouri State Men Set Two MAC Meet Records on Opening Night of Meet

2015 Mid-American Conference Championships

• Wednesday, March 4^th– Saturday, March 7^th
• SPIRE- Geneva, Ohio
• Prelims/Finals 11 AM/7 PM(Eastern Time Zone)
• Championship Central
• Live Results

Last year’s MAC Champion, Missouri State, would open up the 2015 event with a win in the 200 medley relay. The upperclassmen team of Paul Le (21.71), Isaac Springer (24.34), Vitalii Baryshok (21.24), and Uvis Kalnins (19.50) would set a new MAC Meet and school record with their 1:26.79. Eastern Michigan’s team would finish in second (1:28.61). Miami (Ohio)’s Joe Baumgartner would post the fastest anchor time of the night (19.49) to help his team finish 5^th. This time is well ahead of his top seeded 20.12 for Friday’s individual event.

The second relay of the night would finish with the same team standing on top of the podium. Missouri State went a 6:28.05 to claim their second MAC Meet and school record of the night. Uvis Kalnins got them off to a strong start with his 1:35.62, but the Bears found themselves in second due to Southern Illinois University’s 1:35.45 from 200 free top seed Till Pallmann. Vitalii Baryshok (1:37.07), Kacper Cwiek (1:36.99), and Isaac McKnight (1:38.37) were able to push Missouri State to victory in the end, though. Eastern Michigan’s anchor from Brian Moore (1:35.44) would be the fastest split from the field. Moore tried to push EMU ahead, but the Eagles ended up finishing in second (6:30.39).

Going into day two Missouri State has 5 swimmers seeded in the top 8 in the 400 IM. Southern Illinois’ Till Pallmann goes into tomorrow with the top seed in the 200 free (1:37.10) and 100 fly (48.64). Missouri State’s depth could end up being a major advantage, but don’t count any teams out just yet.

Results After Day 1

1. Missouri State 80
2.  Eastern Michigan 68
3.  Southern Illinois 64
4. Buffalo 60
5. Miami 56
6. Evansville 50
7. Ball State 26