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It would be an understatement to say the swimming and diving teams of SIU started their respective seasons with a colossal bang.
The men's and women's teams swept each of their 13 events Saturday against Missouri Valley Conference foe Evansville, giving Rick Walker his first victory as the women's head coach.
By the end of all events, the women had crushed Evansville 192 to 49, and the men did the same with a score of 182.5 to 53.5.
The SIU women had six multiple-event winners in Saturday's steamrolling. Sophomores Nora Bunford (200-meter medley relay, 200 breaststroke) and Gabriela Flores (200 free relay, 200 medley relay), along with seniors Rachel Green (50 free, 200 free relay) and Nadine Shawah (one and three meter dives) all won two events apiece.
Freshman Katie Lowry joined them with the first two victories of her collegiate career in the 500 and 200 free relays, and junior Kelsey Kinsella notched three victories against Evansville in the 200 and 100 free, as well as the 200 free relay.
"I don't think sweeping the entire event was on our list of goals," Kinsella said. "I also don't think anyone is going to complain about it, though."
The SIU men, not to be outdone by their female counterparts, also had six Salukis taking home multiple events in the competition.
Marcelo Possato took the 200 medley relay and 200 backstroke, and was the only senior to win multiple events for the Salukis. Freshmen Antonio Santoro (200 free, 100 free and the 200 free relay) captured three events in his collegiate debut.
Juniors Jason Sigler (1000 free and 500 free) and Miguel King (200 medley relay and 200 breaststroke) joined sophomores Brandon Birchak (one and three meter dives) and Case Gasparovich (200 medley relay and 50 free) in winning multiple events.
With Saturday's event being a dual meet, the Saluki teams had the ability to cheer each other on and engage in some friendly competition.
"If the guys are doing really well, we like to step it up," Kinsella said, referring to the women's team. "We definitely feed off of each other's energy."
Kinsella said she and many of her teammates had times they would like to improve on, but expected as much after Walker's demanding training sessions leading into the season.
Walker was happy but reserved regarding the lambasting of Evansville.
"It was a great way to start the season," Walker said. "I just hope Nebraska doesn't do the same thing to the women this weekend."
"When all teams face us a little frightened, then it's championship time."
Saluki Sports 
