NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State swimming and diving team will compete against outside competition for the first time in two weeks when it heads to South Bend, Indiana, for the Shamrock Invitational, hosted by Notre Dame, Friday and Saturday.
The Redbirds will compete against host Notre Dame, Iowa and Grand Canyon, in addition to Clemson's diving squad, this weekend. Friday's events begin at 4 p.m. CT, while Saturday is slated for a full day of competition.
The Shamrock Invitational will mark Illinois State's final competition as a full squad before heading to the Missouri Valley Conference Championships, Feb. 17-20, in Carbondale. The Redbird divers will compete at the UIC Diving Invitational on Feb. 6.
Illinois State head swimming coach Scott Cameron is excited for the weekend ahead.
"We will be racing against some great teams, and it will be a good opportunity for us to work on the little details while swimming against very good competition," said Cameron.
Illinois State head diving coach Phil Hoffmann is looking forward to seeing how his team performs in a format altered from previous years.
"It will be a large group of women divers, but this should help prepare them for the Missouri Valley Conference meet coming up in a few weeks," said Hoffmann.
The Shamrock Invitational will be Illinois State's first meet against outside competition since hosting Northern Iowa Jan. 15 at Horton Pool. The Redbirds' Jan. 22 meet against Evansville was made an intrasquad meet due to Evansville's inability to travel because of inclement weather.
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