Illinois State Sweeps Youngstown State, Swept by UW-GB

The Illinois State swimming and diving team defeated the Youngstown State Penguins 230-70, but lost to the Green Bay Phoenix 191-109 on Saturday Jan. 29, in Green Bay, Wis. The Redbirds competed in a number of close races and recorded personal and season best times during the close competition.

                                                                   

Head coach Steve Paska was impressed with the intensity of the team during the dual meet.

 

“We had a very exciting and competitive dual meet, as Wisconsin Green Bay is a very deep team and performed well,” Paska said. “We began the meet with a bit of a slow start, but after a few races we recovered as a team and ended with a really close meet. I look forward to seeing the same intensity and competitive in our meet tomorrow against Northern Iowa.”

Senior Amy Schaefer earned a first place finish in the 200-yard butterfly with a time of 2:07.82, as well as a second place finish in the 100-yard butterfly (59.22). 

 

“Amy had a fantastic race in the 200-yard freestyle, and was a highlight for the meet,” Paska said. “She swam a smart race and is one of the most consistent swimmers I have coached during my time at Illinois State. I am looking forward to her last performance in Horton Pool during tomorrow’s meet.”

 

Sophomore Jeanette Nolte recorded a first place finish in the 100-yard butterfly (58.76), followed in second by Schafer, and third place by sophomore Sarah Rendek (59.90).

 

Senior Ashley Bachler and junior Michele Stoeppelman also earned personal best times against the Penguins and Phoenix. Bachler recorded a personal best during the 1000-yard freestyle (10:36.85) and Stoeppelman earned a personal best in the 200-yard backstroke (2:12.68).

 

The newest member of the Redbird roster, freshman April Livingston, earned two second place finishes and season best times in both the 100-yard breaststroke (1:07.93) and 200-yard breaststroke (2:26.35). Sophomore Tori Alland also earned a second place finish in the 500-yard freestyle (5:07.39).

 

Diving coach Phil Hoffmann was pleased with the diver’s performance in Green Bay.

 

Senior Liza Perrino placed second in the 3-meter dives with a score of 245.35. Sophomore Maureen Doyle placed first for the Redbirds and fourth overall in the 1-meter dives with a score of 220.50.

 

“Liza had a fantastic meet on three-meter board and competed very well during the meet,” Hoffmann said. “It was good to see a performance like this at this point of the season. I was also very happy with the consistency on the 1-meter board and look forward to tomorrow’s competition in our home pool.”

 

The Redbirds will continue their weekend of competition tomorrow Sunday, Jan. 30 at home in Horton Pool. The ‘Birds will compete against the Northern Iowa Panthers at 11 a.m. during their last dual meet of the season. The meet will be streamed live on GoRedbirds.com.