The Redbird swimming and diving team traveled to Champaign, Ill., to face off against Illinois and Toledo in a tri-meet at Illinois Natatorium Friday. The Illinois State divers posted high scores and delivered a strong performance to lead the team.
Krystal Featherston took first place in the one-meter diving event, with Terra Whisman close behind in second. Kate Johnson and Emily LaVoie earned fourth and fifth in the event, respectively, to round out the top finishers in the one-meter. In the three-meter event Featherston posted a second-place finish, finishing less than four points behind Illinois Lisa Fish. Alison Kouba finished third in the event, with LaVoie earning fourth place.
Diving coach Carly Weiden had good things to say about her team, and believes the divers obtained the objectives and goals she set before the competition.
The team is staying consistent every time they compete, and thats a good thing to see, said Weiden. Overall the team did a great job in the one-meter event. Krystal had another good meet, and Alison did a great job on the three-meter board tonight.
On the swimming side several season-best and personal-best times were set in what head coach
Steve Paska termed a competitive meet with some great races and close finishes.
Kyle Pullman set two season best times in the 50 free (24.85) and 100 free (54.29) to earn third and fifth place in the events, respectively. Simone Leger posted season bests in the 100 back (1.02.49) and 200 back (2.12.23), earning second in the 200, while Katie Finan set her mark in the 1000 free (10.40.11) to finish third. Lisa Hanrahan recorded a personal best in the 100 fly (1.02.11) to finish in third place behind teammate Julie Cocks.
Jenny Klicka posted a season best in the 200 free (1.58.51), while Jamie Haseman set her mark in the 200 fly (2.19.17). Paska was pleased with the strides made by some of his competitors, and hopes the rest of the team will strive to do the same.
We had some exceptional and consistent swims tonight, said Paska. But we need to get everyone on the same level, we need to have everything clicking together and that didnt necessarily happen tonight. In order to be successful in our next meet against Northern Iowa, and at the big Akron Invitational well have to have it all together.
The Redbird divers compete again Sunday in a noon dive-only meet at Illinois-Chicago. The whole team will travel to Northern Iowa November 15 for a 2p.m. contest.
