Redbird Swimming and Diving Tops Ball State in Dual Meet

Results

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State swimming and diving team came out on top against Ball State in a dual meet Friday at Horton Pool as the Redbirds won, 172-128.

Maia Cain and Rachel Root helped lead the way for the Redbirds, winning two individual events each. Cain took first in the 100- (57.63) and 200-yard butterfly (2:06.51), while Root had the top time in the 100- (57.73) and 200-yard backstroke (2:04.83).

The team of Cain, Rachel Holm, Root and Kristin Verkler formed the winning 400-yard medley relay team (3:53.87), which set a new Horton Pool record in the process. The team of Laura Paskoff, Root, Mary Katherine Tillotson and Verkler closed out the Redbirds' victory, finishing first in the 400-yard freestyle relay (3:34.49).

The Redbirds had multiple individual first-place finishes as well in Friday's meet. Verkler finished first in the 100-yard freestyle (53.60). Jensen Keck clocked in the fastest time in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:24.11), while Tillotson earned a first-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle (1:56.08). Holm touched the wall first in the 200-yard IM (2:11.57), and Savannah Rubocki won the 1000-yard freestyle (10:41.05).

 "It was a great meet for us tonight," ISU head swimming coach Scott Cameron said. "We started off the meet with a new pool record, and we rode the momentum from there. They are a little tired from training the past few weeks, but I think this sets us up very well for our midseason meet next week."

Kristen Larson led the diving team in the 1-meter (195.37) and 3-meter (168.90) events, earning fourth place in both.

"I was happy with the way the team put together their lists. At this time in the season I don't really want them peaking," ISU head diving coach Phil Hoffmann said. "I know there are some things we need to work on but I felt like they had a good performance and finished out the competition well. I'm looking forward to a week off training before our midseason meet."                                                                                                                      

The Illinois State swimming and diving team will be heading to the Louisville Invite next weekend, with competition Nov. 18-20, in Louisville, Kentucky. The Louisville Invite will mark the Redbirds final meet of the calendar year.

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