The Southern Illinois Swimming and Diving team will have a swimmer compete at both the men’s and women’s NCAA Championships. Celia Pulido and Alex Santiago wereboth invited to compete for the Salukis.Southern Illinois is one of only two mid-major programs to have a swimmer compete at both the NCAA men’s and women’s championships. This will also be the first time for Southern Illinois to have a swimmer at both championships since 1992.

“Celia and Alex will represent the Salukis very well on the national stage” head coach Geoff Hanson said. The NCAA Women’s Championship will be hosted in Athens, Georgia, and begins Weds. March 20th through Sat. March 23rd. Celia Pulido was invited after her multi-record-breaking performance at the Missouri-Valley Conference Championship in the 100 and 200- yard backstroke and the 100-yard butterfly.

Pulido set the conference record in the 200-yard backstroke and the 100-yard butterfly. Pulido was named the MVC Swimmer of the Year. “For Celia, in her second trip to the Championships she will look to move up from her seeding and potentially score points for SIU. After barely missing the cut last year I’m certain she is excited and motivated” said Hanson.

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The NCAA Men’s Championship will be hosted in Indianapolis, Indiana, and begins Weds. March 27th through Sat. March 30th. Alex Santiago was a show out during the Mid-American Conference
Championship where Santiago was named the Outstanding Swimmer of the Year. Santiago also set the conference record in the 50 and 100- yard freestyle.

“The dramatic improvement that Alex has achieved since coming as an unrecruited walk-on three years ago has gotten him to the highest level of college swimming, but he’s not just happy to be there! He also has the potential to move up from his seeding for sure” Hanson said.

To follow Celia Pulido along this week visit the Championship CentralPage. More information about the Men’s Championship to come.

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