Nov. 5, 2009
NORMAL, Ill. -
Friday's 5 p.m. competition at Horton Pool against Illinois will mark the last dual-meet of the 2009 season for Illinois State's swimming and diving team. The Redbirds will "Paint the Pool Pink" in support of the on-going battle against breast cancer.
Fans are encouraged to show support by joining both teams in wearing pink. Illinois State and Illinois will both be competing in pink swim-caps with the team's logos on them and Horton Pool will be dressed up in the breast cancer awareness colors of pink and white.
Head coach Steve Paska feels honored to host a meet in support of the battle against breast cancer.
"This meet is going towards a tremendous cause," Paska said. "Both teams are excited to be helping support the battle against this horrible disease together in Friday's competition."
Illinois State plans for an intense home competition against its in-state counterpart, Illinois, as both teams have performed well in the first part of the 2009-10 season. In the home triangular meet against Evansville and Iowa State, the Redbirds were able to out-perform the Purple Aces, but fell just short against the Cyclones in a 128-115 finish. During the weekend of Oct. 24, the cyclones fell 177-122 against Illinois.
Coach Paska looks to the ISU swimmers for consistency and mental toughness throughout the meet.
"Illinois is the best dual-meet team that we compete against all season," Paska said. "They have a very deep lineup of swimmers and always put on a strong showing in our competitions."
Diving coach Phil Hoffmann mirrored Paska's feelings towards representing the battle against breast cancer.
"It is incredibly important to continue to support the awareness of breast cancer," Hoffmann said. "Being able to host this meet at home is a great honor for both Illinois State and the swimming and diving team."
Hoffmann looks forward to seeing how the competition unfolds against Illinois' divers.
"Illinois is bringing four very strong divers to the meet," Hoffmann said. "It will definitely be an intense competition and I am excited to see how our divers compete against Big Ten competition."
Friday's meet will be the last meet after six-straight weeks of intense competition and training until competition starts up again at the Zippy Invitation in December.
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