CLEVELAND, Mississippi – The Delta State University swimming and diving teams return to action on Saturday, Jan. 14 for a 1 p.m. meet against NSISC rival Henderson State at the DSU Aquatic Center. DSU will also honor its 10 seniors.
 
LAST TIME OUT:
 
At the DSU Christmas Invite on Dec. 10-12 the Statesmen and Lady Statesmen set several school records and recorded numerous new top 10 best times, which helped lead both teams to a second place finish.

 ABOUT THE STATESMEN:
 
Breaststrokers Matteo Fraschi and Alex Peach will look to lead the Statesmen, as they celebrate Senior Day. After finishing fourth in the 100 and sixth in the 200-Breaststroke at the 2016 NCAA Championships, Fraschi has posted the third best times in both breaststroke events.
 
Peach, who was runner up in both breaststroke events at the 2016 NCAA Championships, holds the best time (1:55.30) in the 200-Breaststroke and has the sixth fastest 100 (54.11).
 
Mattia Schirru looks to continue his momentum after swimming the second fastest 100-Freestyle (43.35) in DSU history, at the DSU Christmas Invite. His 100-Freestyle time is currently best in NCAA Division II; he also ranks fifth in the 200-Freestyle (1:37.23) and seventh in the 50 (20.13). 
 
DSU also has the fourth and fifth fastest 200-IM times with Fraschi (1:47.39) and Cody Lavoie (1:48.27).
 
All five Statesmen relay teams are currently ranked in the top seven in NCAA Division II, including the 800-Freestyle relay, in which senior Fabrice Wendel has helped the Statesmen post the nation's best time (2:56.82).
 
Finally, Statesmen divers, William Ashwell, Eli McBride, and Kyle Weesner look to build upon momentum after achieving the NCAA Qualifying Standard during the fall schedule.
 
ABOUT THE LADY STATESMEN:
 
The Lady Statesmen will look to senior Melanie Tombers and newcomer Caroline Jouisse to continue their winning ways. At the DSU Christmas Invite Jouisse broke a pair of school records, as she posted a 4:50.82 in the 500-Freestyle and a 9:58.91 in the 1000.
 
In the same races, former record holder Melanie Tombers posted new second fastest times (4:51.81 – 10:01.65). Jouisse also swam the second fastest 1650-Freestyle in DSU history (16:48.22) at the Christmas Invite.
 
Moments after swimming the second fastest 1000-Freestyle in school history, Tombers swam an NCAA A-cut time of 4:17.01 in the 400-IM, which was just .04 away from her own school record.
 
Jouisse (9:58.91) and Tombers (10:01.65) currently rank first and second in NCAA Division II in the 1000-Freestyle. Jouisse also ranks second in the 1650-Freestyle, while Tombers ranks eighth in the same event.
The pair have also swam the nation's third (4:50.82) and fourth (4:51.81) fastest 500-Freestyle's this season. Tombers' 4:17.01 is the fastest 400-IM this season, and is also the only NCAA A-cut time that has been posted.
 
Chloe Bennett also impressed at the Christmas Invite, as in back-to-back swims, she broke her own school record (51.02), with a 50.98 in prelims and a 50.90 in the finals of the 100-Freestyle.
 
Senior Anastasia Klyarovskaya continues to prove she will be a contender for a podium finish at the NCAA Championships, as she ranks fifth in the 100-Backstroke with a 54.92, and 10th with a 2:01.13 in the 200.
 
Hailey Leonard and newcomer Casey Moore have achieved the NCAA qualifying standard on the 1-Meter board on two separate occasions, including one at the DSU Christmas Invite. Freshman Kenzie Blomquist also met the standard with a 398.56 during a scoring trial at the Christmas Invite.
 
Leonard set a new school record, as she posted a 427.65 on the 1-Meter board at the Henderson State meet.
 
SENIOR DAY:
 
Ten student-athletes will be recognized on Saturday for their commitment to the swimming and diving program.
 
MEN:
 
Matteo Fraschi
 
Alex Peach
 
Fabrice Wendel
 
 WOMEN:
 
Chloe Bennett
 
Gabby Core
 
Maisey Kent
 
Anastasia Klyarovskaya
 
Kierstin Page
 
Kirsten Stroven
 
Melanie Tombers
 
 
SERIES NOTE:
 
Both teams defeated Henderson State on the road earlier this season. The Statesmen claimed a narrow 151-149 victory, while the Lady Statesmen claimed first place in all but three events in a 212-86 victory.