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EVANSVILLE, Ind.– The University of Southern Indiana Swimming and Diving team is set to embark on its exciting journey westward to participate in the prestigious A3 Performance Invitational. This much-anticipated three-day event will take place from Thursday, November 14, through Saturday, November 16, at the Shea Natatorium, hosted by Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.
This year marks the third consecutive season that the Screaming Eagles will be competing in this notable meet. They will face off against familiar faces from previous years, including opponents like Eastern Illinois University—a key member of the Summit League—as well as the University of Evansville, Bellarmine University, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Indiana State University will participate in diving events only, while Southern Illinois University and USI will return to the competition yet again.
Southern Illinois has consistently defended its home turf, having clinched victory in this prestigious event for both men’s and women’s divisions in 2022 and 2023. Last season, the USI men secured sixth place out of six schools in 2022 but made a remarkable comeback in 2023 to finish fifth, demonstrating a substantial improvement of 147 points. On the women’s side, USI finished fifth in both years, raising their points tally this time around by 11 points amidst a competitive field of eight teams.
Thursday’s competitions will kick off with preliminaries for several significant events, including the 500 freestyle, 200 individual medley (IM), 50 freestyle, and one-meter dive, starting at 10 a.m. The day will culminate in exciting finals, beginning at 5 p.m., featuring the 200 Freestyle Relay, 500 freestyle, 200 IM, 50 Freestyle, and 400 Medley Relay.
On Friday, the preliminaries will encompass the 400 IM, 100 Butterfly, 200 Freestyle, 100 Breaststroke, 100 Backstroke, 800 Freestyle Relay (Timed Final), and the three-meter dive. Evening finals will commence at 5 p.m., showcasing the 200 Medley Relay, 400 IM, 100 Butterfly, 200 Freestyle, 100 Breaststroke, and 100 Backstroke.
Saturday’s prelims will include the 200 Backstroke, 100 Freestyle, 200 Breaststroke, 200 Butterfly, and 1650 Freestyle events. The day will conclude with exciting finals at 4 p.m., featuring the 1650 Freestyle, 200 Backstroke, 100 Freestyle, 200 Breaststroke, 200 Butterfly, and 400 Freestyle Relay.
Men
The men’s team experienced a setback in their early-season momentum, suffering losses against familiar A3 Performance Invitational contenders Bellarmine (88-206) and Evansville (83.5-152.5). Nevertheless, the men have shattered four individual records this season: two in diving and two in swimming. Notably, freshman Jude Winnington set a new mark in the 400 IM with a time of 4:12.46 against Valparaiso University.
Junior Lane Pollock and sophomore Nathan Deputy have excelled this season, pushing each other to achieve personal and school bests. In a recent competition against Evansville, Deputy significantly improved his previous performance in the three-meter dive, scoring an impressive 278.33. Meanwhile, after a dedicated offseason, Pollock has achieved remarkable one-meter scores, shattering the school record against Valparaiso University with a score of 273.38.
Women
The USI women’s team has enjoyed a successful fall season, securing three victories, including a historic win over Evansville, ending the meet with a score of 137-99. In a closely contested battle, they faced Bellarmine, narrowly falling 141-153.
To date, USI has set three individual records. Freshman Elizabeth Ketcham clocked an astounding time of 57.71 in the 100 Butterfly, marking her place in the program’s history. Freshman Anna Bunnell has emerged as a standout for the diving squad, breaking both the one-meter (226.88) and three-meter (238.05) records.
Sophomores Reagan Holmes and Caiya Cooper, along with freshman Simone Green and Ketcham, contributed to setting a new record in the 200 Freestyle Relay with a time of 1:39.21 against Bellarmine. Ketcham leads the team and maintains event bests in the 50 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 100 butterfly, as well as multiple relay splits.
Stay connected
Follow along with the meet mobile app. Stay updated by following our social media channels @USIAthletics on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Additionally, for exclusive content, follow @usi_swimdive on Instagram.
Team scores will be posted on usiscreamingeagles.com once results are finalized.
**Interview with Coach Mike Thompson of the USI Swimming and Diving Team**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Coach Thompson. The USI Swimming and Diving team is about to participate in the A3 Performance Invitational. What does this prestigious event mean for your team?
**Coach Thompson:** Thank you for having me! The A3 Performance Invitational is an incredibly important event for us. It’s a chance for our athletes to compete against top-tier teams and measure how we stack up against some familiar rivals. It’s not just about winning; it’s also about gaining experience and learning.
**Interviewer:** This year marks your team’s third consecutive participation in this meet. How do you think the team has evolved since your first appearance here?
**Coach Thompson:** You know, we’ve seen significant growth since our first year. Last season, despite finishing fifth on both the men’s and women’s sides, we saw an increase in our overall points, which indicates improvement. Our men improved their standings by 147 points! This reflects our hard work in training and the commitment of our athletes.
**Interviewer:** Last season the men’s team had a challenging start, but it looks like a few of your athletes are setting records this year. Could you tell us about that?
**Coach Thompson:** Absolutely! It’s been a tough season so far with some losses against teams like Bellarmine and Evansville, but we’re excited about the progress we’ve made. Jude Winnington has been remarkable, setting a new record in the 400 IM with a time of 4:12.46. Junior Lane Pollock and sophomore Nathan Deputy have also been outstanding, breaking individual records in both swimming and diving. Their hard work is paying off, and it’s inspiring for the whole team.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead to the event, what are your expectations for the team during the competition?
**Coach Thompson:** We’re setting our sights on personal bests and team cohesion. The environment at the Shea Natatorium can be intense, but that’s where champions are made. I expect our athletes to give their all and support each other. These competitions are pivotal for their growth and performance.
**Interviewer:** With such a competitive field, how do you prepare your team mentally and physically for this kind of event?
**Coach Thompson:** Preparation is key. We focus on building mental toughness through visualization techniques and team-building exercises. Physically, we ensure they’re well-rested and well-nourished leading up to the meet. I always tell them that every swimmer carries their team, so lifting each other up is crucial.
**Interviewer:** what message do you have for the fans and supporters of USI swimming and diving as you head into this meet?
**Coach Thompson:** We appreciate all the support from our fans! Your presence motivates our athletes and makes a huge difference. We’re ready to showcase our dedication and hard work, and we encourage everyone to come out, cheer us on, and enjoy some great swimming and diving!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Coach Thompson. We wish you and your team the best of luck at the A3 Performance Invitational!
**Coach Thompson:** Thank you! We’re excited and appreciate the support!