The men’s swimming and diving team competed in the Mid-American Conference Championship from Wednesday to Saturday in Geneva, Ohio.

The team finished fourth, but had more individual achievements. 

“We can all be really happy with what we have accomplished this season,” junior swimmer Till Pallmann said.

Wednesday, freshman Joao Facciotti, senior Calvin Kolar, junior Lucas Aquino and senior Shaun Wolfe placed third in the 200-yard medley relay with a time of 1:28.68.

The team of Pallmann, Wolfe, Aquino and sophomore Andre Brilhante finished third in the 800-yard freestyle with a time of 6:31.20.

SIU won two events Thursday.

Pallmann won the 500-yard freestyle with a time of 4:19.68.

He was 1.34 seconds faster than Missouri State junior Miguel Davila.

“It’s always really exciting to compete with him,” Pallmann said. “No matter who wins, we’re always really happy with the outcome.”

Then in the one-meter dive, senior Kegan Skelton finished his career in style, winning with a score of 362.45.

Friday, Facciotti won the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 47.35.

Pallmann kept the pace for the Salukis, winning the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:35.15. Brilhante finished fourth with a time of 1:36.83.

The team of Pallmann, Kolar, Aquino and Brilhante finished third in the 400-yard medley relay with a time of 3:14.93.

The Salukis finished strong on Saturday. They won one event, placed second in two and third in another.

Aquino won the 200-yard butterfly. He set both the pool and MAC championship records with a time of 1:45.78.

Skelton finished second in the three-meter dive with a score of 407.65.

The last event of the championship was the 400-yard freestyle relay.

SIU’s team of Pallmann, Facciotti, Wolfe and Brilhante finished second with a time of 2:56.97.

“What [Pallmann] did throughout the meet was truly remarkable,” coach Rick Walker said.

After the meet, Walker, Pallmann and Skelton were honored with MAC Coach of the Year, Swimmer of the Year and Diver of the Year awards, respectively.

The team participates in the NCAA zone qualifier Thursday through Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.

Matt Wells can be reached at [email protected] or at 536-6311 ext. 269.