ST. LOUIS - The Indiana State Women's Swimming & Diving program has been chosen to finish third at the Missouri Valley Conference Championships next week based on the pre-championship poll, the Valley announced Friday afternoon.
 
After an impressive regular season that concluded with a 13-1 dual meet record, the Sycamores, who were picked fourth in the preseason poll, moved-up on slot in the poll. The women earned a program record 12-straight dual meet victories, with four of those wins coming against MVC opponents.
 
Missouri State has been unanimously chosen as the favorite to win the championships with 64 points and all eight first place votes, while Northern Iowa was picked second with 54 points. The blue and white, who tallied 46 points were placed in front of Southern Illinois (41), Illinois State (36), Little Rock (22), Evansville (18) and Valparaiso (8).
 
On the conference leader boards, ISU posted nine top-five individual times for the season, including four marks that ranked in the top three. Sophomore Marlene Pavlu-Lewin held the highest mark, recording the second-best time in the 200 back (2:00.37). The Trees are led in diving by freshman Elle Christie who posted the fifth-best score on the three-meter board.
 
The MVC Championships will begin on Wednesday, Feb. 20 and continue through Saturday, Feb. 23. Missouri State will host the 2019 Swimming and Diving Championships in Columbia, Mo. at the Mizzou Aquatic Center.
 
Pre-Championship Poll:
1. Missouri State - 64 (8)
2. UNI - 54
3. Indiana State - 46
4. Southern Illinois - 41
5. Illinois State - 36
6. Little Rock - 22
7. Evansville - 18
8. Valparaiso - 8
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Swimming and Diving team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.