Feb. 7, 2007
NORMAL, Ill. -
Two-time Missouri Valley Conference Swimmer of the Week Kyle Pullman and the rest of the Illinois State swimmers and divers will wrap up their 2006-2007 season this weekend at the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championships in Carbondale, Ill. The competition, which will feature Illinois State, host Southern Illinois, Missouri State, Northern Iowa and Evansville, will run Thursday through Saturday inside the Dr. Edward J. Shea Natatorium.
The 2007 pre-championship poll released by the Valley on Tuesday tabbed Southern Illinois as the favorite. The Redbirds tied for second with Missouri State. Northern Iowa and Evansville were ranked fourth and fifth, respectively. Despite what the numbers show, head coach Steve Paska is optimistic about what the weekend will bring for the `Birds.
"This weekend is the culmination of the 2006-2007 season," said Paska. "The championships have always been the focal point and are what we've been preparing for since the middle of August.
"As we go into this weekend, we know as a team that Southern is slated to take first according to the poll. The Salukis have had an outstanding season, there's no question about it. I, however, believe each team at the meet this weekend has definite strengths. As a team, we're trying to focus on our strengths."
Despite fighting injury and illness throughout the last six months, Paska says the team is healthy heading into the final competition of the season.
"There are no serious aches and pains keeping any of the swimmers out of the water right now," Paska said. "I think at this point, having no serious injuries or illnesses is a positive sign as we prepare for the biggest meet of the season, and we're also in the right frame of mind mentally."
Preliminary races will begin each morning at 10 a.m., followed by finals starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 5 p.m. on Saturday. The competition will also include divers from each participating Valley team. The 1-meter diving competition will take place on Friday, with the 3-meter competition following on Saturday.
Results for the Valley Championships will be available after each session on the SIU athletics website at www.siusalukis.com or at the Valley website at www.mvc.org.
