Night Two of MAC Championships- Two Meet Records Broken but Diving Depth Pushes EMU into the Lead

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

MAC Meet Record holder Till Pallman (Southern Illinois) swam a very controlled 500 free this morning to qualify in third for finals. Pallman attacked tonight’s race, though, from the very beginning and reset his meet record from last year with a 4:19.68. His third 100 was his slowest (53.40), but he was able to descend down to a 51.73 on his closing 100. Missouri State’s Miguel Davila would finish in second (4:21.02). Davila’s time was well under the current Missouri State record of 4:22.66 that was set during last year’s MAC Championships. EMU was the big winner in the team standings after they were able to qualify three swimmers for the Championship final. This event would push the Eagles into the lead.

The second individual event of the night would see the Missouri State Bears claim the 1^st, 2^nd, and 4^th place podium positions. Junior Uvis Kalnins would end up with the win with his 1:44.03. This time is a new MAC Meet Record and jumps Kalnins all the way up to 19^th fastest NCAA time so far this year. Kalnins’ teammate, Paul Le, would finish close behind in second (1:44.33). That swim puts Le in the 25^th spot overall in the NCAA, so it’s looking good for the Bears to possibly get two invites in this event.

Miami (Ohio)’s Joe Baumgartner really went after it this morning with his 19.76 qualifying swim. He wasn’t as fast tonight (19.90), but it was enough to claim the victory. Brian Moore (EMU) and Antonio Lanzi would finish in a tie for second (20.12).

The 1 meter diving event was won by SIU’s Kegan Skelton (362.45). Going into diving Missouri State had a slim 3.5 point lead over EMU. EMU’s divers were able to capitalize on their depth and pushed their team to a 42.5 point lead in the overall standings. The Eagles had divers finish in 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, and 7^th. No other school qualified more than one diver for finals.

Finishing off the night, Miami University (Ohio) took the win in the 200 free relay. Joe Baumgartner (19.80), Lucas Brock (20.00), Ross Westrick (20.43), and Jack Strauss (19.67) finished in 1:19.90, and they were fairly close to the MAC Meet record that was set back all the way back in 1997 (1:19.58). After a night of fast swimming and solid diving EMU sits in first, but defending Champion Missouri State isn’t far behind in second.

Results After Day 2

1. Eastern Michigan 266
2. Missouri State 236
3. Southern Illinois 219
4. Miami University (Ohio) 189
5. University at Buffalo 185
6. Evansville 76
7. Ball State 42