Sept. 26, 2008
Red/White Scrimmage Lineup and Schedule 
NORMAL, Ill. - Illinois State's women's swimming and diving team opens the 2008-09 season with the annual Red/White Scrimmage Saturday at 9:30 a.m., at Horton Pool. An ongoing tradition at Illinois State, the scrimmage allows swimmers to begin competition in preparation for the upcoming season.
Head coach Steve Paska feels the Red/White scrimmage is an important tradition at Illinois State.
"It's something that has always been a tradition at ISU. I've been here for 24 years and it's something that we all look forward to," Paska said. "The girls have been practicing and now they want to compete to see the intense training in the pool and weight room pay off. This Saturday we will see where the team stands this early in the season."
The intrasquad scrimmage allows coaches to evaluate swimmers and divers in a competitive environment. The scrimmage also allows new members of the team to familiarize themselves with collegiate-level competition and veteran members a chance to get back into competition. Members of the swimming and diving team divide into two teams and compete against each other in 14 events.
"The Red/White meet is a great way to begin the season, to get girls acquainted with race format, and to start learning about strategies," Paska said. "It is a great evaluation tool for the coaches as we prepare for the four-consecutive dual meets that follow this scrimmage."
Paska feels this 2008-09 Redbird swimming and diving team will be very successful this season.
"The girls have been training with tremendous work ethic and a lot of intensity in the water and in the weight room. As we get ready to begin 2008-09 season, we have huge expectations and want our student-athletes to improve, to become faster swimmers, and to achieve personal-best times," Paska said. "This season is about improving and performing our best, ultimately leading us to the Akron Invitational and MVC Championship."
