Illinois State nearly doubled up Indiana State on Friday night.
Illinois State Press Release
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. –The Illinois State swimming team had its first dual meet of the season Friday at Indiana State, topping the Sycamores, 176.5-85.5.
Maia Cain finished first in the 100- (57.54) and 200-yard butterfly (2:05.75). Yvette Kruk came in first in the 500- (5:13.17) and 1000-yard freestyle (10:46.75). Rachel Root earned the best time in the 100-yard backstroke (57.35) and tied with Mary Katherine Tillotson for the top time in the 100-yard freestyle (54.33). Karley Licking won the 200-yard backstroke (2:04.06).
The team of Root, Everest, Rachel Holm and Tillotson had the top time in the 200-medley relay. Jillena Everest, Casey Balson, Cain and Brittany Felice made up the winning 200-yard freestyle relay team.
Kristin Verkler clocked in the top time in the 200-yard freestyle (1:55.57), while Sarah Thomas finished first in the 50-yard freestyle (24.84). Janise Everest touched the wall first in the 100-yard breaststroke (1:06.26).
"I was very pleased with our swims this evening," ISU head swimming coach Scott Cameron said. "There were quite a few season bests times tonight, and there was a lot of improvement from our last couple of meets."
The Redbird diving team didn't compete this weekend, and both swimming and diving squads will have the next week off in as they prepare for their next home meet against Ball State, the team's final home meet of the calendar year, Nov. 11 at 5 p.m. at Horton Pool.
Indiana State Press Release
Terre Haute, Ind.—The Indiana State swimming and diving team made history tonight by hosting their first home meet at the Vigo County Aquatic Center.
The Sycamores welcomed Missouri Valley Conference opponent to the pool for a dual meet at 7:00 p.m.
“Tonight was a great first step for us. Hosting a meet which went smoothly,” said head coach Matt Leach.
Indiana State continues to improve every single week and tonight was no different. There were numerous high placing finishes for the Sycamores including two first place finishes from Blanca Saez-Illobre in the 200 yard breaststroke and 200 yard IM.
“The first relay set a new school record by about four seconds and we kept that ball rolling the entire way through. Out of the 14 events that we swam against Illinois State we set 11 school records, so it was a pretty solid performance and again we are still mixing things up so see who has to be where in order to have the strongest possible line up in the future,” said Leach.
The first relay was the 200 yard medley and the team made up of Kendall Hansen, Blanca Saez-Illobre, Jacquie Price, and Alex Malmborg finished in second with a stellar time of 1:48.90.
“We’re still working hard to make sure that we’re progressing each meet. I told the team after the meet that this was a great step at home, now you guys can get rid of some of those jitter bugs and be faster next Saturday.”
Other notable performances of the night came from Elisabeth Peskin who placed third in the 1000 yard free, Jacquie Price who came in second in the 200 yard free, Courtney Skelley finished second in the 200 yard fly, Alex Malmborg recording second place in the 50 yard free, Kendall Hansen placing second in the 200 yard back, and Cierra Campbell placing second in the 500 yard free.
“Overall this was a solid meet for our team, our program and we’re going to keep trying to break every school record every single time. The student-athletes are responding, having fun, and getting better.
Obviously we are going to keep working on atmosphere on the pool deck, but all in all a great meet for us as we continue to move forward and keep pushing.”
The Sycamores are back in action on Nov. 5 at 1:00 p.m. at the Vigo County Aquatic Center to face off with the University of Illinois.
