Carbondale Reporter

Junior swimmer Celia Pulido has made history for Southern Illinois University at the 2024 NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championship. Pulido competed in two events, marking her as the first female swimming finalist from the university in 39 years.

Pulido participated in the 100-yard backstroke, where she qualified for the A finals during the preliminary session with a time of 50.98 seconds. This performance placed her as the seventh seed for the championship and broke both her personal and school records for this event.

In the finals of the 100-yard backstroke, Pulido finished seventh with a time of 50.73 seconds. This achievement not only surpassed her earlier records but also established her as the fastest swimmer in mid-major history for this category.

Additionally, Pulido competed in the 200-yard backstroke, finishing first in her heat with a time of 1:52.44, securing a spot in the B finals. Her qualifying time broke another school record that she previously held at 1:53.80.

In the consolation finals of this event, she completed with a time of 1:52.31, improving upon her preliminary performance and finishing 13th overall.

Celia Pulido concludes her junior season recognized as an All-American in both the 100 and 200-yard backstroke events.

For updates on Southern Illinois University's swim team, follow them on Twitter (@SIU_SwimDive), Instagram (@SIU_SwimDive), or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SIUSwimDive