The SIUC men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams got what they expected, but fell short of what they were hoping for.

Both Saluki teams knew that they could finish among the top three teams in the tournament, but the University of Cincinnati was the favorite to win both championships.

In men’s competition, Cincinnati and SIUC ran away from the rest of the field. The Salukis fell short of their third NIC championship to the Bearcats, 687-620. Northeastern Louisiana University edged out Florida Atlantic University for third-place, 488-473.

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Last year, senior diver Alex Wright was honored as runner-up Male Diver of the Year, but it was a disappointment for Wright, who received the honor his sophomore year. In his senior year, Wright was able to duplicate his sophomore accomplishments and was recognized as 1998 Male Diver of the Year.

I won it sophomore year and was runner-up last year, Wright said. I was able to redeem myself this year.

As a result of performances by Wright, sophomores Randy McPherson and Matt Williams throughout the year, diving coach Dave Ardrey was honored as 1998 Male Diving Coach of the Year.

It is a nice honor, Ardrey said. But the reasons we get Coaches of the Year is because our kids have done well.

Top individual performances during the meet included junior Liam Weseloh, who qualified for the B-cut in the mile. Freshman Corne Prozesky also made the B-cut for the 200 meter breaststroke.

Athletes who make the A-cut qualifying times gain automatic bid to the NCAA Championships, while those who make the B-Cut are placed into a pool and are selected into the NCAA Championships as spots are available.

Weseloh and Prozesky now wait to be selected to compete in the NCAA Championships the weekend of March 26.

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I’m happy with our performances. Our guys swam really well, men’s coach Rick Walker said. Across the board, everybody had life-time bests or close to it in one of their events.

The SIUC women’s swimming and diving also knew that a top finish was possible, but Cincinnati would be the favorite.

The defending NIC champion Bearcats were heavily favored to retain their crown and did by a 299-point margin. Cincinnati raked in 813 points, leaving the Salukis in second-place with 514 points.

Florida Atlantic University claimed third-place with a 480 mark over fourth-place Missouri Valley Conference-member Illinois State University, which finished with 443.5 points.

Sophomore Melanie Williams led the Salukis with two first-place finishes. Williams took honors in 200-meter breast stroke and the 100-meter breast stroke. Freshman Beth Ann Erickson took first-place in the 100-meter butterfly.

With this season over, Walker knows his squad must turn its focus to next season.

We need to analyze our individual commitment, Walker said. Those who came up short [in NIC competition] need to recommit to do everything it takes all year long, or we are going to have to make some changes.

SIUC diving team will compete in the Zone D Qualifying Meet the weekend of March 13 to determine qualifications for the NCAA Championships, which take place the last two weekends of March.