INDIANAPOLIS – The Greyhound swimming & diving teams took their talents down to McKendree on Saturday to compete in some of the fastest dual meets in the country. The #2 ranked men took down #8 Drury on a final score of 162 – 138, but fell against #4 McKendree on a close match 154 – 146. The #7 ranked women came out to maintain their undefeated status, including a 224.5 – 62.5 win over #24 McKendree, and a 165 – 129 victory over #3 Drury. This meets also includes the first time that head coach Jason Hite has taken down his alma mater (Drury) on both sides in the same season.

Diving continued their early season success, taking over three of the four boards between the two teams. Kendra Seymour collected her first collegiate victory on the women's one meter springboard, totaling 222.95 points overall to take first. The men found their rhythm and went on a tear, stealing first through third on both springboards (and even an exhibition fourth place finish on one meter). The Greyhounds qualified three on the one meter board in Payton Staman (first; 364.85), Cade Hammond (second; 323.7) and Josh Zylstra (third; 296.4). Hammond led the charge on the three meter, taking the win with another NCAA Pre-qualification score of 366.05 points. Staman was right behind his freshman teammate for second with 339.1 points for another Pre-qualification score as well.

Edda Skoric continued to have another dominating performance, the senior backstroker collecting three wins on the day. Skoric kicked off the meet with boosting her relay team to a 3:49.72 victory in the women's 400 medley relay, while once again taking home first places finishes in the 100 back (57.81) and the 200 back (2:02.64). Marizel van Jaarsveld took home multiple wins as well as she followed up in her PNC GLVC Athlete of the Week award earlier in the week. Van Jaarsveld took down the 200 IM with a final time of 2:04.55, along with being one of the 400 free relay members who finish the meet victorious on a 3:29.07 time.

The men's depth kept them in the race for the entire meet's session, leaning on the threats of breastroke and distance alongside their diving teammates. TJ LeSeure came away with a first place finish in one of his best events, the 200 breastroke, touching the wall on his 2:06.05 time. Christian Hedeen paved the way for his first collegiate B-cut in the men's 500 free, earning the NCAA standard on a final time of 4:31.14. Hedeen's time was not only enough for the B-cut, but also two seconds ahead of the field for his first collegiate win.

"It was a great meet for our men and women," praises coach Hite. "We knew we'd be a little gassed after last weekend, but we still came out and competed exceptionally. We competed against several national contenders, and it was pretty fun." 

The tough weekend continues on Saturday as the Greyhounds split ways for a second day of top-tier competition. Diving stays at McKendree to continue their excellence on the boards, starting at 10 am in the McKendree Metro Rec Plex. The swimmers will travel to Lindenwood University for the highly packed Lindenwood Invitational, located at the St. Peters Rec-Plex. The races will commence at 12:30 pm.

Below is a complete list of the winners from Friday's meet:

Women:
- Krystal Caylor: 200 free (1:53.34), 400 free relay (3:29.07)
- Darian Murray: 400 medley relay
- Mariia Rezhylo: 400 medley relay, 400 free relay
- Kendra Seymour: one meter diving
- Edda Skoric: 400 medley relay, 100 back, 200 back
- Marizel van Jaarsveld: 200 IM, 400 free relay
- Leticia Vaselli: 400 medley relay, 400 free relay

Men:
- Cade Hammond: three meter diving
- Christian Hedeen: 500 free
- TJ LeSeure: 200 breast
- Payton Staman: one meter diving