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CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Competing in the final dual meet of the season, the Eastern Illinois men's and women's swimming squads downed Saint Louis on Saturday afternoon by scores of 135-70 and 120-85, respectively. Prior to the win, the Panthers honored six seniors for their contribution to the EIU swimming program.

The dual sweep over the Billikens marks the second time the Panthers have dunked SLU this season, having previously won on the road last November. The Eastern men and women finish the dual season with impressive 6-2 and 5-3 marks for the year, which is a nice improvement from both team's 4-6 record in 2008-09.

“This was a great way to end our dual meet season,” said second year head coach Matt Bos. “Saint Louis is a good team and to take both meets from them this year was a tough thing to do. I am happy for our seniors to go out with a win.”

In fact, the women were led by seniors Lauren Zillmer and Laura Nilsen, as each picked up two individual wins on the day. Zillmer touched first in both the 100 (53.85) and 200-Free (1:55.99) events, while Nilsen won her 200-IM (2:12.96) and 100-Back (1:00.28) races.

Both swimmers, along with fellow senior Kellie Logterman, also helped the Panthers take both relay events as well, as Zillmer swam the first leg, and Logterman the anchor, in the 200-Free (1:40.53) win, joining sophomore Tyler Crittenden and freshman Molly Nordyke.

Nilsen, meanwhile, started off the winning 200-Medley (1:52.90) squad, swimming with freshman Kelli Dicanio and junior Alyssa Lehman, while senior Kellie Logterman joined the race at the third spot.

“Lauren (Zillmer) had a great meet, especially in her 200-Free, as did Laura (Nilsen), who won two events,” Bos said. “Although she was beat in the race, Kellie (Logterman) had an outstanding 100-Fly. It was just great to see those girls swim so well in their last home meet.”

Other first place finishers for the Panther women included sophomore Tyler Crittenden in the 50-Free (25.34) sprint, and freshmen Kelli Dicanio and Hailey Foss in their 100-Breast (1:09.47) and 1000-Free (10:59.40) events, respectively.

Two more senior lady swimmers, Sarah Jones and Lauren Stotts, also finished their swimming careers in the win, with lone male senior Brian Strole joined the other five for a special pre-meet recognition ceremony.

Freshmen John Wilson, who touched the wall first in both sprint events to lead all Panther men on the day, won both the 50-Free (21.56) and 100-Free (47.82) events. Sophomore transfer Tyler Hsieh also finished first in the 200-Free (1:44.79), while fellow sophomore Rich Waszak won the 100-Back (53.74) faceoff.

“John (Wilson) had a big meet for us again, winning both sprint freestyles, while Tyler (Hsieh) had a great swim in the 200-Free, as well,” said Bos.

Other first place finishers for the guys included junior Cody Showers in the 100-Fly (53.43), sophomore Joe Ciliak in the 100-Breast (59.52) and newcomer Ken Tiltges winning the 200-IM (1:58.73).

The Eastern men also captured their respective relays, with Waszak, Ciliak, Showers, and Colin McGill touching first in the 200-Medley (1:36.20), and the foursome of Wilson, Tiltges, Colin McGill, and Showers taking care of the 200-Free (1:26.18) relay title.

“We are now just 12 days away from competing in the Summit League Championships and I am really excited about where we are at right now,” Bos said. “I think everyone is ready for a little more rest, but the excitement is starting to build, too.”

Indeed, the Panthers will get ready for the end-of-season league meet, set to take place on Feb. 18-20 and hosted by IUPUI over in Indianapolis. Last season, the men and women finished in 3rd place and 5th place, respectively, while perennial power Oakland won both team titles. Eight Panthers eventually earned a spot on the All-Conference squads, including current returning competitors Tyler Crittenden, Matt Scaliatine, Cody Showers, and Lauren Zillmer.

… for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID