The last dual meet of the season for SIUC swimming and diving teams proved to be an exciting end to their fruitful season.

After suffering a dissapointing loss to the University of Notre Dame Jan. 20th by a score of 201-149, the SIUC women’s swimming and diving team showed it would not go down as easy this time.

Although the SIUC women’s team lost again to Notre Dame, the meet literally came down to the last event, however the Irish won by a slim margin of 151-146.

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The SIUC men’s team fared better, shutting down the Irish 157.5-127.

The women Salukis had won seven of the 15 events scored before the finalethe 400-yard freestyle relay and perhaps it proved to be the most crucial event for the Salukis. The Irish won with a time of 3:34.48-3:34.85, giving Notre Dame the overall victory.

One swimmer, Melanie Davis, proved to be a big provider for the Salukis.

Davis won the 100 and 200-yard breaststroke with times of 1:06.92 and 2:22.46, and took first place in the 200-yard individual medley, touching in at 2:09.95.

SIUC women’s coach Mark Kluemper did not have any regrets in his team’s performance, and was proud of what his swimmers accomplished on the day.

The team swam very, very well. We just fell a little short, Kluemper said. It (the meet) came down to the last relay, whoever won the relay won the meet.

Kluemper added that if his team would have swam poorly, and won, he would have been more concerned than he was about the loss. He also expressed his gratitude for the team over the whole season.

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They’re a great team, I really enjoy this group, Kluemper said. They pull together as a team, they work hard, and they’re a lot of fun to be around.

Diving coach Dave Ardrey was pleased with his team’s performances on Saturday, but saw room for improvement.

I was real pleased with the performances, I think we have to continue to improve competitively, Ardrey said. We have to challenge ourselves competitively all the time.

Junior diver, Jodi Mulvihill showed her experience and desire to perfect her dives as she qualified for the NCAA Championships on the 1-meter board with 259.73 points.

That was probably the best list she (Mulvihill) has put together all semester, Ardrey said. She seems to come together at the end of the season more than anyone else I’ve ever coached.

There were no surprises for SIUC men’s coach Rick Walker Saturday as his team pulled out another victory over Notre Dame.

It (the overall performance) wasn’t unexpectedly good, it was just pleasing to see us that good, Walker said. Nobody looked as though they were too fast, as if they were too rested now and not later, Walker said.

Walker said he is looking forward to the National Independent Championships in Little Rock, Ark., on Feb. 21-24.

I think we’re in great position, and I am very excited in what I saw today, Walker said.