Nov. 6, 2009
NORMAL, Ill. -
After six consecutive weeks of competition, the Illinois State swimming and diving team was unable to come out on top in Friday's dual-meet against regional rival, Illinois as the Redbirds fell to the Illini 183-117.
Junior Lauren Terzis won the 1,000 yard freestyle as well as the 500 yard freestyle and had her season best times of the season at 10:32.88 and 5:09.32. Freshman Danielle Schumacher had a personal best time in the 1,000 yard freestyle at 10:36.46. She also finished second in the 500 yard freestyle with her season best time of 5:10.87. Junior Molly Gomberg won the 100 yard backstroke with a season best time of 1:00.08. She also finished third in the 200 yard backstroke with a season best time of 2:09.11 as well as her season best in the 100 yard butterfly with a time of 1:00.33.
Despite the loss, head coach Steve Paska was very pleased with the competitiveness his team showed against a tough Illinois team.
"I believe we met one of our objectives that we continue to talk about - competing with focus, intensity and swimming with consistency," Paska said. "The girls really stepped up tonight against the best dual meet team that we will see all season, and we rose to the challenge and had some very competitive races."
Senior Katelyn Prorok finished third in the one meter dive with a score of 249.37. She also took second in the three meter dive with a final tally of 265.20.
Diving coach Phil Hoffmann was pleased with his divers' performance and the competition they faced.
"Illinois had a very strong group of young divers, I think they'll have a good showing in their Big 10 season," Hoffmann said. "I think it was a good meet for our divers to get a look at divers that will be in our zone which is a prepping for the NCAA's. I think it was a good way for us to build and also see the caliber of divers we'll see in four weeks at the Akron Invite."
The Redbirds move into four weeks of training without competition as they prepare for the three-day Zippy Invitational that will be held in Akron, Ohio, Dec. 4, 2009. The start time of the three-day invite is yet to be determined.
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