Jan. 20, 2006
MILWAUKEE, Wis. -
After day one of the Bill Ritter Invitational Illinois State swimming and diving team holds third place with 289 points following first place Wisconsin-Milwaukee (385), and second place Wisconsin-Green Bay (305.5). Saturday's first session of competition will begin at 9:30 a.m. Following a break, the second session will then begin at 3:30 p.m. in Klotsche Center Pool.
Head coach Steve Paska was impressed with the competition.
"This has been the fastest Bill Ritter I have ever dealt with," said Paska. "All three of the teams that we are up against are competing really well. At first we just were not coming together as a team, but we started to see life as the meet went on. The team is warmed up now, and I think that we are in pretty good shape for tomorrow."
Emily Richardson came out strong in the 500-yard freestyle and earned a season best time of 5:17.96. Teammate Kristen DeKeyrel, also earned a season best time of 5:46.86 in the 500-yard freestyle. Katie Finan was a team player and stepped up in the 400-yard medley relay, performing breaststroke contributing to the overall team's performance. She also did well in the 200-yard individual medley placing the highest for her team with a time of 2:14.40.
"We are looking to climb the ladder," said Paska. "We have a good full day of swimming tomorrow for all four teams. In order to succeed, we need to be ready to swim in the morning and rise to the challenge."
The diving team competed at an early time Friday morning with a contribution to the overall placing. Emily Hirt continued to lead the `Birds on the boards placing fifth on the one-meter with a score 234.95 and fourth on the three-meter with a score of 235.90. Fellow diver, Katie Janonis was also consistent on the boards placing eighth in the one-meter with a score 228.50
Head diving coach Tom Davidson was all in all happy with the way the team dove.
"The competition was deep," said Davidson. "We had some good dives. Things that we have been working on at practice really showed up today at the meet. I was really happy to see them use what we have been working on in their performance."
