Carbondale Reporter

The Southern Illinois University swimming and diving team concluded their participation in the Purdue Invite by setting three new program and Missouri Valley Conference records. The event took place in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Alex Santiago achieved a new record in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 42.32 seconds. Olivia Herron set another record in the 200-yard breaststroke, clocking in at 2:09.13. The relay team composed of Celia Pulido, Bea Padron, Zaria Terry, and Susana Hernandez also broke records in the 400-yard freestyle relay.

During the preliminaries, Pulido led the Southern Illinois team with a top finish in the 200-yard backstroke. Liseska Gallegos reached the "A" finals with a fifth-place finish. Willem Huggins secured seventh place for men, making it to the "A" finals.

Santiago excelled in the 100-yard freestyle preliminaries with a first-place finish at 43.16 seconds. AJ Terry finished third at 44.35 seconds. In the women's category, Susana Hernandez placed fourth for Southern Illinois while Padron came seventh.

Herron topped her event in the women's 200-yard breaststroke preliminaries with a time of 2:11.13, while Henrique Pacheco finished third for men at 1:58.85.

In finals competition, Pulido maintained her lead with an NCAA "B" time of 1:53.67 in the 200-yard backstroke and Gallegos improved to third place at 1:58.17. Huggins retained his seventh position among men.

Santiago clinched first place again with his record-setting performance in the men's final of the 100-yard freestyle and Herron secured first place as well as an NCAA "B" cut with her finish in the women's final of the 200-yard breaststroke.

Pacheco held onto third place for men’s breaststroke finals and Terry teamed up with Donut Csuvarszki and Santiago to win first place in their men's relay group for the 400-yard freestyle relay.

The Salukis are scheduled to compete again on January 10 against Indiana-Indianapolis and Indiana State.

Fans can stay updated on Salukis' news through social media platforms like X (@SIU_SwimDive), Instagram (@SIU_Swimdive), Facebook (facebook.com/SIUSwimDive), or via their mobile app available on both App Store and Google Play Store.