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ST. LOUIS — The Southern Illinois women’s swimming and diving team swept Missouri Valley Conference weekly awards, the league announced today. Newcomer Lucia Romero earned Swimmer of the Week for the first time in her collegiate career, while Baobao Ji was named Diver of the Week for the second time this season.

Romero combined for two school records and four wins over the course of two meets last weekend. Against No. 20 Missouri, she shattered the school record in the 100-yard backstroke with a winning time of 54.64 and swam the opening leg in the women’s 200-yard medley relay, which placed second with an SIU-record mark of 1:42.70. The Zaragoza, Spain native added three wins in SIU’s 175-63 Senior Day win over Evansville, as she placed first in the 100-back (56.94), 200-medley relay (1:44.39) and 200-yard freestyle relay (1:39.52).

Ji’s weekend was highlighted by a diving sweep in her final collegiate meet at SIU’s home pool, Shea Natatorium. The senior topped the podium in the one- and three-meter dive with scores of 300.90 and 321.15 against the Aces. She was the lone diver in the 11-women field to reach the 300-plateau in either event. The Taiyuan, China native also impressed on the boards against Mizzou with a victory in the one-meter (294.60) and runner-up finish in the three-meter (287.33).

Romero and Ji will next compete at the MVC Championships from Feb. 19-22 in Columbia, Mo.

 

This press release first featured on siusalukis.com