LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Delta State University men's swimming and diving team earned a second-place finish at the Little Rock Fall Invite, scoring 169 points during the two-day meet held Oct. 23–24.

Henderson State won the team competition with 297 points, while Delta State finished second with 169 points.

Delta State established its presence Friday with several strong individual performances. Mateus Cruz won the 50-yard backstroke in 22.56 seconds, while Alessandro Giustolisi placed second in the 50-yard butterfly with a time of 22.33 seconds. Leonardo Medeiros also secured a runner-up finish in the 50-yard breaststroke, touching the wall in 25.70 seconds.

The Statesmen carried that momentum into Saturday's competition. Cruz captured another victory in the 100-yard backstroke, finishing in 49.71 seconds. Emilio Garcia also delivered a standout performance by winning the 200-yard butterfly in 1:50.89.

Delta State continued to add points in the sprint and distance events. Giustolisi finished second in the 100-yard butterfly in 49.68 seconds, while Timeo Bordier placed second in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 46.26 seconds. Medeiros added a third-place finish in the 100-yard freestyle, touching the wall in 46.62 seconds.

The Statesmen also demonstrated their depth in the relays. The 800-yard freestyle relay team of Jake Runyon, Lars Hetzel, Riley Oakes and Austin Huffhines finished second in 6:45.02. Delta State's 400-yard medley relay team of Cruz, Reece Achord, Runyon and Huffhines also secured second place in 3:23.89.

Delta State will return to the state of Arkansas on Friday November, 6 for a dual meet with the Tigers from Ouachita Baptist University.