Matthew Mortenson Shatters Expectations at Mizzou Invitational with Stunning 200 Breaststroke Performance
The 2025 Mizzou Invitational, held from November 20-22 at the Mizzou Aquatic Center in Columbia, MO, was a showcase of rising talent and fierce competition. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the meet featured standout performances across the board, it was Matthew Mortenson’s breakthrough in the 200 breaststroke that stole the spotlight—and left many questioning just how much further he can go. Is this the start of a new era for Mortenson, or simply a one-off achievement? Let’s dive into the details.
Event Overview
The invitational, hosted in a 25-yard short course format, brought together teams from Missouri, TCU, FIU, Wyoming, Southern Illinois, McKendree, and Missouri S&T. Prelims began at 9:30 AM, with finals kicking off at 5:30 PM. Fans could follow along via Meet Mobile under “2025 Mizzou Invitational.” For those eager to relive the action, Day 1 and Day 2 results are available online, along with recaps that highlight the meet’s most memorable moments.
Day 2: A Tale of Triumphs and Surprises
After a strong Day 1, the Missouri women faced an unexpected setback on Day 2 when their “A” medley relay was disqualified despite finishing first. FIU capitalized, claiming victory in 1:36.47, thanks in part to Frida Lobersli’s impressive 26.27 breaststroke split. Lobersli had also tied for second in the 100 breaststroke the previous day with a time of 59.60.
In the 500 freestyle, Wyoming’s Macey Hansen, the defending Mountain West Champion, secured her title in 4:44.06, just shy of her prelims time of 4:44.04. TCU’s Avery Dillon pushed her hard, finishing second in 4:44.57—a personal best by 2.5 seconds. But here’s the part most people miss: Dillon’s rapid improvement raises questions about TCU’s training strategies. Could they be the dark horse team to watch in future meets?
Missouri’s Libby Bakker emerged as a hero, winning the 100 backstroke in 53.07 and leading a 1-2 finish for the Tigers alongside Sydney Bales (53.87). Bakker’s time was a personal best by over a second, surpassing her previous mark of 54.21 from three weeks prior. Her progress, fueled by improved front-end speed and closing power, is a testament to her dedication. Bakker remains undefeated in the 200 backstroke in her college career, setting the stage for another thrilling performance on Saturday.
Spreading the Glory
The meet’s wins were distributed across multiple teams. Southern Illinois’ Olivia Herron claimed the 200 breaststroke in 2:08.08, comfortably under the NCAA qualifying time. TCU’s Nina Vadovicova followed closely in 2:08.60, ensuring both swimmers a spot at the national championship meet. Herron also dominated the 100 breaststroke on Thursday with a time of 59.42.
Missouri’s Francesca Smith delivered a nail-biting victory in the 50 freestyle, touching the wall in 22.49—just ahead of Wyoming’s Tara Joyce (22.53) and Missouri’s Katie Kuehn (22.57). Smith’s time shaved .08 seconds off her 2023 Mizzou Invitational best, showcasing her consistency and growth.
Wyoming edged out Missouri in the 800 freestyle relay with a time of 7:15.31. Joyce’s anchor leg was nothing short of spectacular, splitting 1:44.17 to secure the win. Joyce also won the 200 freestyle on Thursday in 1:45.35, meeting the NCAA qualifying standard. However, she’ll need to replicate this performance and win the conference title in February to secure her NCAA spot.
Diving Dominance and Team Scores
Missouri’s diving team shone, taking the top three spots in the women’s 1-meter event, led by Gaby Carmona. On the men’s side, the Tigers won four out of six events, including a 1-2 finish in the 200 medley relay, where Quinlan Gould’s 21.36 backstroke split stood out. Their time of 1:23.24 not only dipped under the NCAA Qualifying Standard but also improved on their 19th-place finish from last year’s NCAA Championships.
Matthew Mortenson’s Moment
Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the pool: Matthew Mortenson’s jaw-dropping 200 breaststroke performance. Mortenson crushed his lifetime best of 1:57.87 from three weeks ago, clocking an astonishing 1:54.98. This four-second improvement was evenly split between the front and back halves of the race, with his opening 100-yard split of 55.10 nearly two seconds faster than his flat-start 100 breast best. Is Mortenson, primarily an IM’er, poised to become a breaststroke specialist? Or is this a one-time anomaly? The debate is ripe for discussion.
Other Notable Performances
Luke Nebrich continued to impress for Missouri, winning the 50 freestyle in 18.82—his first sub-19-second performance. Wyoming’s Isaac Lee took the men’s 500 freestyle in 4:22.40, while TCU’s men secured their first win of the meet in the 800 freestyle relay with a time of 6:24.34. McKendree’s Vova Gavrysh posted the fastest split of the field, 1:33.20, though it was Luka Cavic who led TCU to victory with a 1:35.02 split.
Final Team Standings
After Day 2, Missouri led both the women’s (1,137 points) and men’s (1,110 points) team scores, followed by FIU and TCU for the women, and TCU and Wyoming for the men.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Mizzou Invitational was a testament to the depth and talent of collegiate swimming. Yet, it’s Matthew Mortenson’s performance that leaves us with the most questions. Will he continue to dominate the breaststroke, or was this a fleeting moment of brilliance? And what does this mean for Missouri’s future in the pool? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep the conversation going!
