Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois University’s swim and dive teams began their 2025-26 season with a two-day meet at Missouri State. The women’s team secured a victory, winning 260.5-181.5, while the men’s team was defeated 275-171.

Head coach Geoff Hanson commented on the weekend’s performance: "It was a tough weekend of racing, but we are pleased to come away with a split result against a quality team who we've gone back and forth with for many seasons. Many of our returning women stepped up and filled in where we were short handed. Our newcomers got good experience in a tough environment as well. We were happy with the overall meet win. The Missouri State men were very strong, and gave us a lot to work on as our young men's team comes together. Many bright spots early in the season however."

Freshman Lívia Munkácsi-Nagy made an impact by winning three out of four individual events and contributing to the women’s 400-yard freestyle relay victory. Senior Olivia Herron achieved four individual wins and one relay win, continuing her success from last season when she earned All-American honors.

For the men’s squad, Willem Huggins won both his individual events and participated in three relay victories.

The competition started Friday with both SIU women’s relay teams reaching the podium in the 400-yard medley relay; the men’s A team also took first place in this event with a time of 3:18.91. In individual races, Munkácsi-Nagy won the 1000-yard freestyle during her collegiate debut, while Ava Rines claimed first place in the women’s 50-yard freestyle.

Benedek Andor delivered SIU's first men's individual win by finishing first in the 200-yard IM at 1:54.98. Brooklyn Anderson took top honors in the women's 200-yard butterfly, and Zaria Terry finished first in the women's 100-yard freestyle.

Alex Cimera captured his first win of the year in the men's 100-yard freestyle (45.37). SIU swept all podium positions in the women's 200-yard backstroke thanks to Liseska Gallegos Gutierrez, Munkacsi-Nagy, and Andrea Santos Arambula. Huggins then placed first for SIU men in the same event.

Herron added another win by taking first place in Friday's women's 200-yard breaststroke before SIU secured more podium finishes through relays and diving events.

On Saturday, SIU continued its performance with more wins across multiple events including relays and individual races by Rines, Munkacsi-Nagy, Herron, Terry, Cimera, Gallegos Gutierrez, Santos Arambula, Tia Jankovics, and Huggins.

The Salukis’ next meets are scheduled for October 10 at UIC followed by dual-meets against Northwestern and Miami (OH) on October 11.

Fans can follow updates about Southern Illinois swim and dive via Twitter (@SIU_Soccer), Facebook (Facebook.com/SalukiSoccer), Instagram (@SIU_Soccer), or through their mobile app available on major app stores.