I've never 'live blogged' before, and something like this may inspire me to spawn a SIU-only sports blog. I've dabbled with a focused blog before, but the since-deleted Cubs blog failed because school and work got in the way. But when school, work and something I love come together, it might come together in a very awesome way.
Finals starts at 4 p.m.
Background:
SIU is going for its second consecutive MVC Championship, and is currently in second place with 519.5 points. Missouri State starts the day with 591 points. I talked to Coach Rick Walker last night, and he reminded me that this isn't unchartered water for the Salukis (pun intended). SIU entered the final day of the meet behind MSU last year and came back to win the whole darned thing.
Here's hoping the Salukis can do it again.
3:02 PM
Current Standings:
- Missouri State University- 591
- Southern Illinois University- 519.5
- Illinois State University- 461.5
- University of Northern Iowa- 240
- University of Evansville- 209
Currently, they're honoring the seniors. One of the things I love about college sports is honoring the seniors. Four years of the balancing act that is being a student-athlete is impressive and each member deserves to be honored.
3:58 PM
The National Anthem has just been sung and the meet will soon be underway. Sidenote: I love SIU's pre-game jig is great. The only way to describe it is fun to watch. The one thing I do know is that it's done in a bunch of different languages and that in itself makes it cool!
4:26 PM
MSU's Matana Wellman wins the 1650 yard freestyle with an un-official time of 1726.17. SIU's Karin Mullendore finishes 7 with 18:17.01.
4:32 PM SCOREBOARD UPDATE
MSU- 672
SIU- 531.5
ISU- 490.5
UNI- 254
UE- 228
4:40 PM
SIU junior Kelly Dvorak wins the 200-yd backstroke with a time of 2:02.28. Dani Quarry finishes 6th with a time of 2:08.44.
4:49 PM SCOREBOARD UPDATE
MSU- 717
SIU- 570.5
ISU- 516.5
UNI- 280
UE- 247
4:54 PM
SIU sophomore Therese Mattsson won the 100-yard freestyle, with teammates Isabel Madeira, Tovah Gasparovich and Emily Duerringer finishing in third, fourth and sixth place respectively.
5:02 PM SCOREBOARD UPDATE
MSU- 746
SIU- 627.5
ISU- 554.5
UNI- 293
UE- 265
And the question is: where can SIU get 118.5 points? Only time will tell.
5:14 PM
SIU senior Julie Ju picks up a victory in the women's 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:15.99. Teammates Marcela Teixeira and Keli Kramer finished in third and seventh places respectively.
Blogger's Note: I guess now would be a good time to note that all times posted here are unofficial.
5:21 PM SCOREBOARD UPDATE
MSU- 780
SIU- 675.5
ISU- 603.5
UNI- 309
UE- 272
5:31
SIU swimmers Lisa Jaquez and Abby Blank finished in third and fifth places respectively in the 200-yard butterfly. Unfortunately for the Salukis, MSU's Breanna Hollar picked up the top spot with a time of 2:06.04. The Bears are inching towards the MVC title with only two events remaining.
5:38 SCOREBOARD UPDATE
MSU- 840
SIU 714.5
ISU- 633.5
UNI- 316
UE- 291
Whispers of SIU being mathematically eliminated sadden me. I'm not sure SIU can make up 125.5 points in two events. If that is the case, congrats to MSU. Time for diving, that means time for an extended break.
6:27 UPDATE
We're back and we're live from Carbondale. The Salukis are down 125.5 points heading into the women's 400-yard freestyle relay. It's not over, but it's over enough to crown MSU as the champions.
SIU's 400 yard freestyle relay team finishes the meet on a strong note, finishing first with an unofficial time of 3:27.06.
6:42 FINAL SCOREBOARD UPDATE
MSU- 942
SIU- 774.5
ISU- 715.5
UNI- 346
UE- 335
Those are your official scores. Congrats to the Missouri State Bears--2008 State Farm/Missouri Valley Conference Champions in Women's Swimming & Diving.
That's it, for now. Goodnight, from Carbondale!
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