Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois University's swim and dive teams will begin their 2025-26 season with a two-day meet at Missouri State on October 3 and 4. The event will take place at the Hammons Center in Springfield, Missouri, with sessions scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m.

Head coach Geoff Hanson commented on the upcoming competition: "We are looking forward to getting the dual meet season underway Friday and Saturday at Missouri State. Even though they have left the MVC, they have been a traditional rival for decades and we will keep that going this weekend. We have a lot to learn about this year's Saluki team, with a large group of newcomers. Many of our returners will take on different roles than in past seasons as well. We are excited about the challenge of beginning the new season."

Last season, Southern Illinois' men's team finished with a 5-2 record in dual meets, while the women's team went 10-1. Both squads placed second at the Missouri Valley Conference championships. Twenty-seven athletes earned All-MVC honors, including eighteen named All-MVC Scholar Athletes. Three swimmers advanced to the NCAA Championships: Alex Santiago represented the men’s team and was named MVC Men's Swimmer of the Year; Celia Pulido received MVC Women's Swimmer of the Year honors and became a First-Team All-American in the 100-yard backstroke; Olivia Herron participated as well, earning Second-Team All-American status in the 200-yard breaststroke and being recognized as MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

Returning athletes include Olivia Herron—now entering her senior year—as well as seven other women who were named All-Conference last season, among them Liseska Gallegos Gutierrez, last year’s MVC Women's Freshman Swimmer of the Year. Celia Pulido is also returning but has joined as a graduate assistant coach.

On the men's side, ten All-Conference members return to compete this year. Notable names include Lucas Lauzon (MVC Men's Freshman Diver of the Year) and Alex Cimera (MVC Elite 18 Award winner). Team captains for this season are Cimera, Brooklyn Anderson, Bea Padron, Sam Vega, Audrey Leno, and Tiago Faleiros.

The roster is strengthened by several newcomers from both transfers and freshmen recruits. Nikolas Kosta joins from UNCW while Carter Ruthven arrives from Kentucky through transfer; fourteen freshmen are set to make their collegiate debuts.

Fans can follow updates about Southern Illinois swimming and diving through social media platforms X (@SIU_SwimDive), Instagram (@siu_swimdive), Facebook (facebook.com/SIUSwimDive), or by downloading the “Salukis” Mobile App via App Store or Google Play Store.