MVC Tournament Central  -  Day Two Finals

CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Missouri Valley Conference Championships continued for Women's Swimming and Diving on Thursday in Carbondale.
 
Kicking off the day was the 500 Freestyle. Sophomore Jessi Hildebrand stepped up for the team and swam a time of 5:22.74. Additionally, freshmen Megan Schremp and Bridget Sheridan both achieved season best times in the preliminary round.
 
Evansville had much success in the form of the 50 Freestyle. On top for the Aces was junior Michaela Kent, taking home fifth place with a career-best time of 23.80. Following suit was freshman Kristen Myers in 11th place with a time of 24.16 and senior Abby Smith in 13th with 24.20. Freshman Kayla Aitken also earned a career best time of 25.58.
 
Sophomore diver Courtney Coverdale performed in her usual fashion as well. She earned second place as her score of 264.65 nearly 20 points ahead of the third place score.
 
Evansville kept up the energy when the 200 Freestyle Relay team of Abby Smith, Mackenzie Harris, Kristen Myers, and Michaela Kent took to the water. Seeded fifth, the four edged out Southern Illinois by a slim margin of .44 seconds to earn third place and a spot on the podium.
 
These efforts have move the Aces up to fifth place with 127 points, ahead of Little Rock with 121 points.  Leading the way is Southern Illinois with 284 points and Missouri State with 281 points.
 
"I am very happy for all the girls tonight, they had a great, great night," said Head Coach Rickey Perkins. "Courtney finishing second was amazing. I'm extremely proud of the 200 Free Relay especially the two seniors after enduring injuries and illness this season to still come out in third place. I'm excited for Michaela's fifth place finish. I'm excited for the team; we'll only get better as the meet goes on."
 
Friday is another full day with the following events taking place: 400 IM, 100 Butterfly, 200 Freestyle, 100 Breastroke, 100 Backstroke, 3-Meter Diving (B-Final), and 400 Medley relay.  Prelims take place at 11 a.m. with the finals going at 6 p.m. 
 
 

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