Courtesy: Missouri State Athletics
SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State swimming and diving head coach Dave Collins unveiled the upcoming 2021-22 schedule for the Bears, highlighted by four home meets at Hammons Student Center Pool.
“I have never been more excited to release a meet schedule in my career,” Collins stated. “After a shortened year, we are excited about the opportunities we will have to compete both in the fall and winter. I know our athletes are looking forward to the challenge to compete against some very talented programs beginning in October.”
For the first time since 2010, the Bears will be opening their season at home, with a two-day dual meet against rival Southern Illinois, Oct. 1-2. The Saluki women recorded a second-place finish at the 2021 MVC Championships in 2021, while the men finished third at the 2021 MAC Championships, both right behind Missouri State.
After the opener, Missouri State will compete in the TYR Fall Classic in Miami, Fla., Oct. 8-9. The event is hosted by Florida International who is coached by MSU alum Randy Horner, who swam for the Bears from 1990-94 and served as an assistant at MSU from 1998-2005.
Collins’ squad remains on the road, heading to Lawrence, Kan. for a dual meet against Kansas and South Dakota, Oct. 22-23. The men face the reigning Summit League champion Coyotes while the women face both opponents. MSU then returns home as the women host conference opponent Indiana State and the men square off against Missouri S&T, Nov. 5-6.
Up next, the Bears head north to compete in the Purdue University Invitational taking place Nov. 18-20 in West Lafayette, Ind.
“I love how this season’s schedule is laid out to get us lots of racing when we need it mixed in with some solid blocks of uninterrupted training,” added Collins. “In the fall, we will look to be pretty crisp at the Purdue Invite, using it as a rehearsal for the conference championships.”
Missouri State then returns to the HSC pool for an annual showdown with Mizzou on Dec. 4. Following Mizzou on the schedule, is a home and home with crosstown foe Drury. The Bears host the Panthers on Dec. 17 before traveling to Drury on Jan. 15.
Rounding out the regular season is the Notre Dame Shamrock Invitational in South Bend, Ind., Jan. 21-22.
The Missouri State women are looking to claim their sixth straight conference title at the 2022 Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Swimming & Diving Championship in Iowa City, Iowa, Feb. 16-19.
March 3-5, the men head to Carbondale, Ill. to compete in the 2022 Mid-American Conference Championships taking place March 3-5. The Bears are the defending runners-up in the MAC.
“Most of all, I look forward to the opportunity to have spectators back in the competition venues,” Collins expressed. “We missed having parents and fans in the stands cheering on our athletes and helping them celebrate their many accomplishments.”
On the women’s side, Missouri State returns 16 all-conference athletes from its 2020-21 squad, highlighted by seniors Libby Howell and Anna Miller, who have combined for 43 MVC gold medals.
The MSU men return nine all-conference selections from last year’s squad that finished second at the MVC Championships. Seniors Pawel Krawczyk (200, 500 freestyle) and Michael Hampel (200 breaststroke) highlight returnees as both won individual MAC Championships last season.
