MISSOURI STATE VS UIC
- January 30-31, 2026
- Chicago, Ill.
- SCY (25 yards)
- Results
Courtesy: Missouri State Athletics
CHICAGO, Ill. – Missouri State men’s and women’s swimming & diving teams both claimed victory against UIC, with the men dominating 223-110, while the women won in a nail-biting 178-175 on Friday and Saturday at the Flames Natatorium.
Standout Performances
On the men’s side, freshman Zack Mendez set not only a personal best but a new Missouri Valley Conference-leading time in the 1650-yard freestyle (15:18.98).
On the diving board, in the one-meter competition senior Storm Opdahl won comfortably with a score of 264.98.
Senior Gonzalo Ruiz, freshman Kiefer Roemer, sophomore Jack Ailshire, and senior Lucas Chadwell secured the win in the 400-yard medley relay (3:13.81).
Sophomore Mate Miszlai also won the 400-yard individual medley (3:54.86).
In the 100-yard freestyle, Chadwell took top spot (44.59), scraping past teammate Matvei Chesakov who finished second (44.91).
Ruiz also secured first place in the 200-yard backstroke (1:46.20) just ahead of Miszlai who was the runner-up (1:46.42).
Miszlai earned another gold however in the 200-yard butterfly, (1:49.94), just three milliseconds in front of freshman Kayden Hedrick who earned silver (1:49.97).
On the women’s side, freshman Aleca Howard had a standout meet winning three events. In the crucial 200-yard breaststroke she led a Bears’ podium finish, taking the gold with a time of 2:19.39. Senior Olivia Sala earned the silver (2:21.59), while freshman Paige Corbin earned the bronze (2:21.67).
Howard also took out the 200-yard individual medley (2:04.94) and the 400-yard individual medley (4:26.14) highlighting her brilliant form.
Senior Mackenzie Kurre won the 50-yard freestyle (23.37) and the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 49.93, whilst anchoring two relay wins as well.
Sala, senior Lana Janson, sophomore Lillie Freulon, and Kurre claimed victory in the 200-yard medley relay (1:42.45).
In the 400-yard relay, Janson, junior Ane Meier, senior Ainsley Jenkins and Kurre won the gold with a time of 3:22.78.
Senior Evie Kolb won the 1650-yard freestyle with a personal best time of 16:57.78.
On the diving board, in the one-meter competition freshman Delaney Nickles came second with a score of 244.88 just behind Flames’ Kerry-Leigh Morrison (246.60).
Both teams will conclude the 2025-26 season in Evansville, Ind., when they compete in the three-day Missouri Valley Conference Championships, starting Wednesday, Feb. 25 at the Deaconess Aquatic Center.
Courtesy: UIC Athletics
CHICAGO – The UIC swimming and diving programs hosted Missouri State for Senior Day and its final dual-meet of the season. The Flames ended up falling short with the men and the meet coming down to the last event for the women.
COMMENT FROM HEAD COACH ASHLEY DELL
“This weekend was an amazing way to finish our dual meet season! The way this group stepped up against the 2025 MVC 3rd place teams was incredible and a true testament to how special this team is. The women coming up short by only 3 points to a team who has several MVC championship wins was fantastic to see and makes us very excited for the next few weeks. A big shoutout and thank you to our 8 seniors who have done a tremendous job leading this program. I am so proud of you and know you’ll go on to do great things! I can’t wait to watch these student athletes finish the season strong!”
COMMENT FROM ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH/HEAD DIVING COACH SUSAN BROMBERG
“The Divers did really well this weekend. Both the men and the women had some really great performances. The standouts were Kerry’s lifetime best in the 3 meter competition. Camryn had lifetime best performances in both the 1 meter and 3 meter events, and Ava also had her personal best in the 3 meter event. Lastly, shout out to Harrison who is coming off an injury and did all of his dives standing in the 3 meter event and dove so well that he won the event and got his 8th zone cut this season in this event.”
NOTABLE PERFORMERS
Swimmers
Men’s
200 Breaststroke – 1st place | 1:59.56
200 Individual Medley – 2nd place | 1:52.17
400 Individual Medley – 2nd place | 3:57.20
50 Freestyle – 1st place | 20.04
Contributed to 2nd place team in the 200-freestyle relay – 1:22.60
Women’s
200 Freestyle – 1st place | 1:48.61
500 Freestyle – 1st place | 4:54.13
100 Freestyle – 2nd place | 50.99
Contributed to 1st place team in the 200-freestyle relay – 1:34.84
100 Backstroke – 1st place | 56.28
200 Backstroke – 1st place | 2:03.88
Contributed to 1st place team in the 200-medley relay – 1:42.49
Divers
Men’s
Harrison Nolan
3M Diving – 1st place | 336.68 Points
Women’s
Kerry-Leigh Morrison
1M Diving – 1st place | 246.60 points
3M Diving – 1st place | 317.40 points*
* Personal Best Score
UP NEXT
The Flames divers will be back in the pool next Saturday Feb. 7, when they host the UIC Diving Invitational. The meet is set to begin at 11:00 AM (CT).
