As the Missouri State men’s swimming and diving team heads into the Mid-American Conference Men’s Championships, here are some names to look out for.
Senior Antonio Thomas, sophomore Pawel Krawczyk and senior Samuel Senn have all been recognized as MAC swimmers of the week this season.
Thomas is a three-time all-MAC first-teamer (2017, 2018, 2019), a MAC freshman of the year (2016-17), and a four-time MAC gold medalist in the 500 and 1,650-yard freestyle. Thomas is also a two-time silver medalist in those same events.
Thomas currently holds this season’s fastest time in the 1,000 and 1,650 yard free as well as the 400 individual medley. Thomas also holds school records in the 1,000, 1,650 and 500 free. He set them all in his freshman season when he was a gold medalist and an NCAA qualifier.
Thomas’ times in all of his events are NCAA qualifying times, and he will have to maintain or improve those times if he wants to be an NCAA qualifier for a second time.
In his freshman year at MSU, Krawczyk made a splash, medaling four times, being an all-MAC first-teamer and MAC Freshman Swimmer of the Year.
Krawczyk has four medals, three golds came in the 200, 500 and 1,650 free while his lone silver medal was in the 800 free relay.
Even with a stellar freshman campaign, Krawczyk was unable to make NCAA qualifying times, but that could change this year. Krawczyk recorded NCAA qualifying times in the 500 and 1,650 free this season, both at the SMU invite.
Much like Thomas, Krawczyk will need to maintain or improve on those times if he wants to be an NCAA qualifier.
Senn is the most recent MSU men’s swimmer to earn MAC swimmer of the week honors.
The Springfield native has racked up 10 medals in his time at MSU, making him the most decorated of the three.
Unlike the other highlighted swimmers, Senn has never made all-MAC first team, but he is a two-time all-MAC second-team selection (2018, 2019).
In his three previous MAC Men’s Championships, Senn has not met NCAA qualifying times despite grabbing gold three times in the past two tournaments. Senn has not recorded NCAA qualifying times this season, but he has come within milliseconds in several events.
Senn is a valuable member of four out of five relay teams for the Bears (200 free, 400 free, 200 medley and the 400 medley).
While Senn has never qualified as an individual swimmer or as a member of a relay, his experience and previous success could play a factor in qualifying in his final MAC Men’s Championships.
MSU last won the event in 2018 scoring a total of 857.5 points and capturing their 20th conference title.
After losing a day three lead and falling to second place in 2019, expect the Bears to come back with a vengeance this time around.
The tournament will take place from March 4-7 in Carbondale, Illinois.