Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois University's swim and dive teams are preparing for a series of meets in the Chicagoland area following their season opener at Missouri State. The Salukis will compete against UIC on Friday at the Flames Natatorium in Chicago, and then face Northwestern and Miami (OH) on Saturday at the Norris Aquatics Center in Evanston.

The women's team began their 2025-26 campaign with a win over Missouri State, finishing 260.5-181.5. The men's team lost to Missouri State with a score of 275-171.

Freshman Lívia Munkácsi-Nagy made her collegiate debut by winning three out of four individual events and swimming on the victorious women's 400-yard freestyle relay team. Olivia Herron contributed four individual wins and one relay victory for the women's squad. On the men's side, Willem Huggins secured first place in both his individual events and participated in three relay wins.

Three Salukis received weekly honors from the Missouri Valley Conference after last weekend's meet. "Munkacsi-Nagy was named the Women's Freshman of the Week for her outstanding Saluki debut." Liseska Gallegos Gutierrez earned recognition as Women's Swimmer of the Week after finishing first in every event she entered, including victories in both individual backstroke events and four relay races. According to the release: "This is the reigning MVC Women's Freshman of the Year's first career Swimmer of the Week award." Senior Alex Cimera was named Men's Swimmer of the Week after accumulating 28 points, competing in six events, and taking first place in all but one. The release notes: "This is Cimera's first career Swimmer of the Week honor from the MVC."

The upcoming meets will mark season debuts for UIC, Northwestern, and Miami (OH), while Southern Illinois enters with competitive experience from last week.

Fans can follow updates about Southern Illinois swim and dive teams through their social media accounts or by downloading the "Salukis" Mobile App available on major platforms.