The Illinois State swimming and diving team defeated Wisconsin-Green Bay, 133-108, in its Senior Day dual meet at Horton Pool Saturday morning. Head coach
Steve Paska termed this win, a total team effort.
We came out today and had some really solid swims, said Paska. This was a great team victory, there was no one race or person that carried us today. We wouldnt have won this meet without the contribution of every person in the water.
Paska noted several swims as momentum builders for the meet, including the 1000 freestyle, in which Jenny Klicka finished second with a 10.47.03 and Heather Norris placed fourth in 10.57.59. The 200 freestyle event saw Jamie Haseman finish in second-place (1.59.22), while Casey McKittrick recorded a personal-best time (1.59.44) to finish third.
Julie Cocks won the 200 butterfly (2.09.93) by a touch out, and Katie Finan recorded a season-best time in the 200 IM (2.11.46). Brittany Armstrong prevented a Phoenix one-two-three finish in the 200 breaststroke, finishing third, and recorded her personal-best time (2.31.45). The 400 freestyle relay closed out the meet with a win as Kyle Pullman, Katie Finan, Jamie Haseman and Monique Witkowski posted a time of 3.37.13.
On the diving side of the meet, the Redbird divers did their part, finishing one-two-three in both the 1-meter and 3-meter diving events. Krystal Featherston claimed first-place in both events, scoring a 243.15 in the 1-meter, and a 262.28 in the 3-meter.
Terra Whisman claimed second in the 1-meter and third in the 3-meter, with scores of 232.65 and 208.20, respectively. Emily LaVoie scored a 192.08 in the 1-meter to finish third, while Alison Kouba claimed second in the 3-meter with a 208.50. Diving coach Carly Weiden was very excited for her divers, and pleased with the dives they presented.
I saw some really great things from the girls today, said Weiden. To have the last step before the conference meet go well is a great thing for them to experience. I would say that today they met my expectations, which will set the bar even higher for the conference meet.
The meet, which marked the end of swimming careers for six seniors, began with senior introductions and gift presentations. Paska was pleased to see Sara Groves, Heather Norris, Dana Rosinski, Stefanie Starck, Julie Schultz and Dede Woytowychs last competition at Horton end in victory.
These seniors have done wonderful things for us, and each has contributed to the program here, said Paska. Each senior class has a special place in my heart and these ladies are no different; Theyve lived through and taken part in the tradition of swimming that we have here at Illinois State, and will be sorely missed next year.
The Redbird swimming and diving team takes to the water for the final time in the Missouri Valley Conference Championship, February 19-21, hosted by Southern Illinois in Carbondale.
