February 18, 2005
CARBONDALE, Ill. -
The Illinois State swimming and diving team completed its second day of competition at the Missouri Valley Conference Championships in the third place position following second place Southern Illinois and first place Southwest Missouri State.
Helping the `Birds secure points in the 200-yard medley relay was Monique Witkowski, Brittany Armstrong, Julie Cocks and Kyle Pullman where they finished strong in third place at 1:46.51. Swimming the 400-yard IM was Katie Finan who finished third and produced a personal best time of 4:31.51.
In the 100-yard butterfly, Cocks produced a fifth place finish at 58.66. Following in the same event was Lisa Hanrahan who achieved a personal best time of 1:01.02. Once again swimming solid was Cocks who came in fourth in the 100-backstroke at 59.68 while Monique Witkowski placed sixth at 59.90.
Swimmer Jenny Klicka had a personal best time in the 200-yard freestyle with 156.43. Klicka's teammate Christine Steinbach followed closely behind her in the same event with a personal best time of 1:56.48.
Head swimming and diving coach Steve Paska feels that the swimmers had a great day today.
"We are where we are supposed to be right now," said Paska. "The athletes should be proud of themselves for having such a great day. I expect a great day of swimming tomorrow."
The Redbirds return to the pool with seven events left, while the divers will compete on the three-meter board to finalize the competition at Southern Illinois.
